By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – After months of speculation and innumerable column inches, England’s Premier League clubs have lost out on the services of Pep Guardiola, with the much-touted Spanish coach opting for Bayern Munich next season at the end of his year-long self-imposed sabbatical.
Guardiola stepped down after four trophy-winning seasons as Barcelona boss last summer and was immediately linked to the big four in England – Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
This week he gave them fresh hope by admitting his ambition to work in the Premiership but has instead agreed a deal with Bayern until the summer of 2016.
Guardiola will succeed Jupp Heynckes whose current Bayern side are nine points clear in the Bundesliga and will meet Arsenal in the next round of the Champions League.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chief executive of Bayern, said: “We are very pleased that we have succeeded in bringing in this football professor who was courted by many famous clubs and contacts.
“Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he can bring enormous extra polish to both Bayern and German football. We are looking forward to his arrival in July.”
At Barca, Guardiola won 14 titles in four years, including the Champions League twice, turning the club into the dominant force in European football.
Chelsea and Manchester City will be particularly disappointed at his decision especially after his comments in praise of English football in a video message recorded for the launch party of the Football Association’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had made no secret of his determination to land Guardiola with a massive financial deal. It is understood he tried to lure Guardiola last summer and then again in October when the club sacked Roberto Di Matteo.
It may well be that Guardiola – who was also linked with Paris St. Germain – baulked at Abramovich’s reputation for giving his managers precious little time to bring about consistent success.
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