Will Man Utd dare to match Chelsea for Guardiola?

Pep Guardiola has had a change of heart.

He still loves football, the change has come in his decision to take time off from the game.

That will put several Premier League clubs on alert.

From Liverpool to Chelsea, Guardiola is a wanted man in England.

However, given that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has always been desperate to get Pep to Stamford Bridge, it might be Chelsea first off the blocks.

The Spaniard was quoted as saying: “I will be pleased to receive their calls.

“But for the next months I have to charge my batteries and charge my mind.

“I will wait. If they seduce me I will train again. I will be ready once a club wants me.”

The developments will be tough to accept for the man who delivered to Chelsea the Champions League and FA Cup double - Roberto Di Matteo.

Guardiola has won 14 trophies in four years with Barceloa  and celebrated his final game in charge by leading them to a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on Friday night.

Pep instead of hair dryer?

Is this the time to be talking about Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from Manchester United?

That question as often been halted in its tracks by the lack of a clear replacement.
One who can continue the Scot’s “winning mentality”, but still play the free-flowing football associated with United.

Perhaps for the first time, a candidate is available.

In all the myriad roles that the media have speculated Pep Guardiola being associated with after Barcelona, Manchester United has never been among them.

Yet, if United are looking for a winner with the DNA of Sir Alex, strangely, Guardiola would be the one.

He has the mentality, he plays the football, he knows the pressure, he is available.
Sir Alex has been at United over 20 years. Manchester City have brought a new change in the Premier League.

Perhaps it is time for a change at Old Trafford.

Instead of the hair-dryer, perhaps it’s time for a Pep talk.

Press Red for Toughest Option

Then there is always Liverpool – whose manager saga is turning in to a sap opera, with almost no name, or stone being left unturned.

Last week the British press reported that the owners of Liverpool the Fenway Group had put Guardiola on alert that they would be interested.

It will be a tough choice for Pep should he decide to walk in to the cauldron of English football.

Whoever he chooses, a league title at the very least in his first year will be the requirement.

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