In the same week which Martí Perarnau’s Pep Confidential: Inside Guardiola’s First Season at Bayern Munich was placed on bookshelves, I finished the unofficial first edition – Guillem Balague’s Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning – detailing the Catalan coach’s four exceptional years as Barcelona manager, from 2008-2012.
Reading the book, you get a real feel for the fastidious nature of the midfield axis turned philosophical manager. He eats, sleeps and breathes football. In fact, he doesn’t even sleep – because of football (Pep had to take sleeping medication during his time as Barcelona manager). After 14 titles in four seasons as Barcelona manager – aged only 41 – Guardiola quickly became the hottest property in football management, when during the 2012/2013 season, he took a year sabbatical to experience some respite from the demands of the Barcelona job.
Having grown up in Catalonia – attending Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy as a child – Pep’s tenure as Barcelona manager was more than the title suggested. As Guillem Balague wrote in his biography of the managerial maestro, “The man considered the club’s favourite son was leaving home. It was goodbye to an older brother for some, a father figure for others, a Messiah, for a few. A leader, a role model, the ideal husband, the fiancé you dream of, the friend you share a beer with on a Saturday, a good man, healthy, calm and alternately passionate and measured.” Much like Barcelona pride themselves més que en club (more than a club), Pep was més d'un gestor(more than a manager).
However, during his sabbatical, Pep saw the passion and vigour in his life turn flaccid. He enjoyed the fine life; travelling, spending time with the family, drinking wine, dining at gourmet restaurants – but his purpose felt absent. He needed to relax from serving all the unofficial job titles which he did at Barcelona, yet needed to get back into management; purely as a football manager.
Amidst offers from Chelsea and AC Milan, Pep chose Bayern Munich. The German club develops academy talent, advocates the value of fans and is a world-respected football club, whilst the Bundesliga guaranteed less media pressure and packed grounds every weekend; for Pep, it was the perfect fit.
On 16 January 2013, Pep was announced as Bayern Munich manager; taking the reins at the club at the beginning of the 2013/2014 season. Contracted to Bayern Munich until the end of the 2015/2016 season (a contract which will be met yet not extended), Pep has expressed his desire to manage in the Premier League.
Speaking at the 150th anniversary of the FA, the stylish coach said “I hope in the future to have the opportunity to be a manager [in the Premier League] and have the same experience that other managers and players have had there.”
As a result of the fly-on-the-wall style biography released last week, which followed Pep in his first year of managing Bayern Munich, conjecture surrounding Pep’s next destination as a manager has accelerated.
Watching Manchester United from the stands in the 2011 Champions League, Pep is quoted in the book as saying “I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.” The encore of this has led to a plethora of speculation in the press over which club he will join next, with one thing for sure – it will be in the Premier League.
Currently not bemoaning the pressures of anything but a manager for Munich, it is highly unlikely that Guardiola will take another sabbatical; his next management job should see him take charge at the beginning of the 2016/2017 season.
One thing to remember is that he is very much an elite manager. Give him 25 players from the Vanarama Conference North and he will not turn them into a free-flowing, tactically adept side that rampage to the Premier League in five years. His managerial style compliments that of a side which boasts technical ability on the ball, with players that are cerebral in their interpretation of the game.
Taking this into account, there are only five clubs Pep could possibly begin his next adventure with.
Chelsea – very unlikely
After Pep snubbed the opportunity of managing Chelsea following his departure from Barcelona in 2012 (instead opting for a sabbatical), the Central London club have re-recruited Pep’s arch enemy in José Mourinho. The two experienced an acrimonious period as they previously led La Liga’s two biggest sides – Real Madrid and Barcelona – to battle in every sense of the word.
Pep was initially unimpressed in the way the club changed managers as if flicking through an Argos catalogue, when he was first offered the job. Plus, in Mourinho lies a villain in the eyes of Pep – the Portuguese manager made many false accusations throughout his time in Spain, many of which aimed to tarnish any success Barcelona enjoyed. With Mourinho, Chelsea selected success, but in the antithesis manner to which Guardiola could have delivered it.
Liverpool - unlikely
The morals of Liverpool dovetail with the aspects Pep longs for in a club. Rich heritage, passionate fans and attractive football makes the Merseyside club seem suited to the 43-year-old. However, it is perhaps the current standard of quality players at the club which limit the chances of making this move possible.
There is promise in the squad, with Sturridge, Sterling et al, but perhaps not enough quality which could realise Pep’s philosophy of how football should be played; always moving forward with the ball without surrendering possession. Also, current manager Brendan Rodgers is revered by fans and board members alike, for the improvement the team has made under him in the past couple years.
Manchester United – possible, but unlikely
‘My United Dream’ read the front page of the sports section of the Telegraph last Thursday morning. The article was fuelled by the aforementioned comments Pep said back in 2011, as he watched United play from the stands. This desire stems from the ethos of the club; advocating youth, playing attacking football and, generally, giving managers time.
However, it appears that Manchester United have their future plan in a provisional state. Van Gaal will stay until 2017 – a year after Pep will be available – and intuition suggests that the club want to elongate their proud, home grown legacy by installing current assistant manager Ryan Giggs as manager after van Gaal departs.
Arsenal – possible
It is becoming more of a general consensus amongst Arsenal fans that Arsene Wenger has begun to overstay his welcome. The 64-year-old has managed the North London club for 18 years now, having enjoyed periods of great success along the way. However, the stubbornness to not spend money to improve the squad is taking its toll on the performance of the team and tolerance of the fans.
Pep would be a superb replacement for Wenger. His philosophy of possession with progression is already well instilled in the club (thanks to Wenger), whilst the players’ technical ability is adept to carry out his visions. However, in the summer Wenger signed a three-year contract extension meaning he will stay at the club until 2018.
For Wenger to be fired or resign in the next three years would seriously tarnish a period which has truly revolutionised Arsenal for the better. With the expectation that Wenger will see out this contract and then leave, time seems the only factor stopping Pep from taking the reins at the Emirates.
Manchester City – likely
City do not have the rich history of Liverpool or advocate academy talent like Manchester United, but they do have premium players, a middle man and timing on their side.
Since the Sheikh Mansour take over in 2008, Manchester City have since established themselves as a one of the top sides in England. They are not short of pocket money to spend on the world’s best players and this expenditure has correlated directly to success. Now with a stable, quality squad, the current crop of players would be capable of actualising Pep’s managerial methods.
Current manager Manuel Pellegrini was brought in to obtain success, and that he did – winning the Premier League and League Cup in his first season. With the Chilean’s contract expiring in 2016, the timing seems perfect for Pep to slot in as manager for the 2016/2017 season. The man who could secure the deal is Txiki Begiristain. The current director of football at Manchester City, he fulfilled the same role at Barcelona during Pep’s first two years in charge at the Catalan club.
For now, Pep will have no idea who he will manage next; he is engrossed with his job at Bayern Munich, and after presumably winning everything he can there, his journey as a phenomenal manager will continue in England. Whatever club he joins, we are getting a real gem.
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Source: DSG
