Skip to content

Guardiola: 'I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England'

Reuters

Outgoing Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the inevitable to reporters on Tuesday, announcing England is his next destination.

"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision," he said Tuesday.

Guardiola said he has not chosen a new club yet, but reports indicate that Manchester City is the clear favourite to land the former Barcelona man.

Related: Guardiola to leave Bayern Munich at season's end; Ancelotti named replacement

"I have several offers from England but I haven't signed anything yet," he said.

If he was in his 60s, Guardiola said he would have remained in charge of Bayern. But at 44 years old, and after three seasons at the Bavarian club, Guardiola admitted he is too young to consider an extended stay.

"I'm very happy and grateful to Bayern for the trust they've shown in me but I need a new challenge," he added.

Guardiola is still hoping to end his tenure with a Champions League crown, the only thing he hasn't achieved as Bayern's bench boss. But he is proud of how his side has dominated the competition since his arrival in 2013.

"Losing only once in 51 home matches in three years here is better than winning the Champions League for me," he said. "I'll only be a small part of the history of this great club. I will give my best until my last day in the job.

"Winning the Champions League would make my time here complete."

Guardiola described his successor, Carlo Ancelotti, as the "perfect choice" to take his seat. Ancelotti, who's won the Champions League three times as a coach, is one of the few current managers whose resume stacks up to Guardiola's.

Guardiola said he will not take any of Bayern's players along with him to his next club, intending to leave the the Bundesliga champion in excellent condition, just as his predecessor Jupp Heynckes did.

Heynckes completed his spell by winning the treble in the 2012-13 season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox