Wednesday 16 December 2015

Auf Wiedersehen Pep


England's top clubs will pay particular attention to a certain Spaniard in Bavaria this festive season with Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola due to announce his future plans before Christmas.

Following a German Cup win over Darmstadt the coach said he will clarify his future plans within the next seven days.

"Tonight, I have no answer," Guardiola said on Tuesday. "Next week there will be clarity."

Guardiola, 44, is half way through the third and final year of his current contract and says he will announce his decision to stay or go before December 25. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is ready to make Guardiola a generous offer to extend his stay by laying out "many positive reasons to stay at Bayern".

Club captain Philipp Lahm has also told the coach the squad want him to stay. "The team's position is clear, we enjoy working with our coach and we really, really want to keep doing so," said Lahm.

Spain international Xabi Alonso is reported to want to extend his contract, which also expires in June, should Guardiola stay. And even Bayern fans got in on the act.

On Guardiola's pre-Christmas visit to a Bayern fan club earlier this month, one supporter, dressed as Father Christmas, cheekily handed him an elaborate scroll. It was a spoof contract to remain Bayern's coach for the rest of his life.

Although he laughed it off, Guardiola has become increasingly annoyed by the constant rounds of rumours, which has even seen him linked to the England national team.

Marti Perarnau, the Spanish journalist who shadowed Guardiola through his first season in Munich, has insisted England will be Pep's next stop.

Various sources claim Guardiola has already signed a deal to join Manchester City and will take charge ahead of next season.

City's rivals Manchester United have entered the fray as possible future employers to replace Louis van Gaal following poor results and their Champions League exit.

And with Chelsea close to the Premier League relegation places, Guardiola's name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

Yet the Spaniard has given no indication of where his future lies. His reputation for success, having won 19 titles as either coach of Barcelona or Bayern, leaves Europe' top clubs clamouring for his services.

Regardless of whether he stays or goes at the end of the season, Guardiola wants to get his hands on the Champions League trophy again in the May 28 final.

It would be his third European crown after his 2009 and 2011 success with Barca and would only enhance his pristine reputation.


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