Which Premier League Club Is the Best Fit for Bayern Munich Boss Pep Guardiola?
Pep Guardiola could be on the move.
His three-year contract with Bayern Munich, agreed in January 2013, ends at the close of 2015/16, and his potential movement is becoming a frequent source of speculation.
Per BBC Sport, Guardiola will announce his future next week, and the world's top football clubs—most notably in England—are eagerly awaiting his decision.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The architect of one of Barcelona's greatest teams, and the current conductor of Bayern's domestic dominance, Guardiola has several suitors across Europe. Linked with nearly every job of consequence, the 44-year-old (45 next month) can go anywhere he wants, and Premier League teams have lobbied to test his methodology for years.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, at one time or another, were seen as potential destinations with Guardiola, so—with an impending announcement arriving—a makeshift Christmas present might land in someone's lap next week.
Of course, as becomes the beguiling nature of clairvoyance, the former Barcelona boss could easily announce his intention to sign a new long-term deal with Bayern Munich, but would he draw such massive attention to the continuance of his tenure?
If anything, the opposite seems more likely, that his press conference is an announcement to leave, giving his employers, suitors and players time to draw blueprints for 2016/17.
Accepting his current position before Jupp Heynckes' 2012/13 side won the treble, Guardiola has discovered attempting to replicate perfection is not straightforward. The Bundesliga is unquestionably Bayern's domain. Winning the league three consecutive seasons, and presently atop the German top tier by five points over Borussia Dortmund, the argument that the Bavarian team may be too strong for Germany is compelling, possibly to the point of acceptance.
Europe, however, is a different conversation altogether. Though managing one of the world's few superpowers, Guardiola is yet to capture the elusive Champions League for his current employers. If the Spanish manager considers the task of matching Heynckes unrealistic, looking for greener grass—possibly in England—could be his next move.
There was once a suggestion Guardiola was more like Sir Alex Ferguson than Jose Mourinho. Styles aside, the Portuguese coach is largely transient—never lasting longer than four seasons with any club. The Scot, conversely, was an everlasting presence on Manchester United's touchline for 26 years—building the closest thing to a dynasty contemporary English football has witnessed.
After leaving Catalonia for Bavaria, and possibly announcing an exodus next week, Guardiola seems to have taken a more nomadic approach, rather than the more permanent tact many suspected was his nature.
This development appears fantastic news for prospective Premier League employers.
Manchester City invariably desire a proven European manager with flamboyant style. Manchester United supporters have become largely disenchanted with Louis van Gaal. Arsenal borrowed Barcelona's offensive structure and Arsene Wenger cannot last forever after 19 years in north London. Chelsea are in shambles and Mourinho's position grows more untenable by the hour, thus, Roman Abramovich might justifiably enquire about the Spaniard's availability.
Guardiola is surrounded by hubs of talent, wealth and potential—but which is best?
Chelsea would be the most entertaining. Could he better Mourinho? Could he play the attacking brand Abramovich craves, without losing their hard-man ethos? All interesting questions constructed for the front pages—but running into the burning building that is Chelsea does not seem an advantageous scenario.
Arsenal have England's best working version of tiki-taka football The issue with the Gunners is that Wenger shows no signs of leaving his post. Would he be willing to abandon the Emirates, head to the boardroom, and watch Guardiola manage his side? Though beneficial long term, the Frenchman does not appear resignation-ready.
Another gap year (as seen in 2012/13) might do the trick for Arsenal, but that brings the city of Manchester further into play. Wenger, Van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini's contracts all end following the 2016/17 season. Arsenal's manager in all likelihood will not leave next summer, meaning the window for a north London arrival is not optimal—Manchester is the more feasible option.
United only trail Real Madrid and Barca in terms of global recognition, Guardiola's resume means he is not intimidated by spotlight nor pressure. Appointing the Spaniard affects Ryan Giggs' inevitable Old Trafford stewardship. The Welshman could simply learn for another handful of years under his third world-class manager, but if the Red Devils' plan has been established, is Guardiola worth a redraft?
Many would exclaim "yes," but an easier Premier League transition exists (without much kerfuffle and United's conspicuous drought of world-class players) a relative stone's throw away—at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City have the ambition to become a global superpower and the necessary capital to support that ambition, all they need is a visionary. Pellegrini, while undoubtedly solid, lacks the enviable quality of charisma. Guardiola has one such personality, and the tactical adroitness (provided he has the funds to buy his brand of footballers) to topple most if not any opposition.
Were his services to become available, Guardiola can reasonably expect calls from Italy, Spain, France and the odd national team, but England is the destination he should crave. The Premier League's combination of talent, money, pressure and unpredictability makes it a world-class manager's paradise—or inferno.
Solid arguments can be made for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City. All four could use another set of hands in particular areas, but the side with the most boxes ticked is City.
Guardiola's acceptance of that challenge (or any Premier League challenge for that matter) starts with saying his first goodbye to Bayern Munich next week
If, indeed, he's ready to jump—clubs are there to catch him.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
