Guardiola attracted to Man Utd management structure

Poignant SG

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is being tipped to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Such has been his impact at Birmingham, that one veteran judge believes it is not fantasy to suggest he could be a candidate to succeed his former mentor Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United when - and if - he eventually heads into retirement.

Former Old Trafford boss Ron Atkinson told the News of the World: "I have seen a lot of Birmingham games since Alex took over and I have been very impressed with the job he has done.

"He has brought a stability and substance to the place which hasn't always been there. He has gone about the job quietly and efficiently. I reckon he will continue to to raise the bar gradually and establish them as a solid Premier League club without spending vast amounts of money.

"It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could be a candidate for the Manchester United job eventually. Sir Alex knows him and would encourage his appointment if he felt he was ready for it.

"I happen to think there is a dearth of good young British managers in the game and McLeish is one of the outstanding ones.

"Don't forget, he knows his way around a big club having been at Rangers so Old Trafford would not faze him."

Rooney9 SG

is this a joke or what?

Rock^Star SG

Last time was David Moyes, then Carlos Queiroz, Mourinho, now Alex McLeish.....hahaha pinch of salt la.

iceFatboy SG

hmm, didn't SAF recommend one manager in serie A now?? can't rem the name.

zocoss SG

There are many people waiting for the job... As long as Fergie is still there, names will pop out every once in a while especially those who are seen to be doing well at the moment... I don't think Fergie have recommended anyone yet but names like Mourinho, Moyes, Bruce, Blanc, Hughes, Keane, O'Neill and many more will continue to come up... All these are a waste of time until we know Fergie is really going to step down. lol

Rooney9 SG

if ever fergie retire, I hope O' Neil will take over from fergie. Mourinho is too arrogant and antagonistic and his brand of football is too defensive, not the brand of football played by fergie ie attacking football. best is wenger take over, but I doubt so haha.

Poignant SG

Manchester United are ready to make an offer for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is off contract in June and yet to open serious talks with Barca about a new deal. He remains among the lowest paid coaches at a Champions League club.

Don Balon says United powerbrokers have studied Guardiola's impact - on and off the pitch - and are convinced he is the right man to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson, himself, is a great admirer of Guardiola and attempted to sign him as a player.

United are prepared to offer the Spaniard a lucrative deal and hope to know one way or the other by April.

-Wanderer- SG

Manchester United are ready to make an offer for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is off contract in June and yet to open serious talks with Barca about a new deal. He remains among the lowest paid coaches at a Champions League club.

United are prepared to offer the Spaniard a lucrative deal and hope to know one way or the other by April.

The question is, will he leave Barcelona any time soon? My guess is no.

zocoss SG

The question is, will Fergie be leaving United any time soon? My guess is also no... lol.

zocoss SG

Guardiola, 38, despite becoming the youngest ever Champions League winning coach in May, could part company with Barcelona at the end of the season as his contract will have expired.

After claiming a La Liga title, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Supercopa Espana, UEFA Super Cup and, most recently, the FIFA Club World Cup, Guardiola has still attracted detractors who claim he has achieved this with the team he inherited from predecessor Frank Rijkaard.

Furthermore, Guardiola is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League as he admires the freedom that managers in England have over all team affairs. By contrast, Guardiola is restricted by a "technical secretariat", Txiki Begiristain, and is undermined when it comes to transfer window acquisitions.

The decision to appoint directors of football in England is one still met with derision.

However, Barcelona supremo Joan Laporta is eager to tie Guardiola down to an extended deal, with a two-year contract allegedly to be offered to the coach - although much depends on the upcoming presidential elections, and who will succeed Laporta.

KaurexO_o SG

Hope he does indeed come over to United but well..

zocoss SG

There are rumours in Spain that Guardiola could leave the Nou Camp as early as April to work under Ferguson at Old Trafford before eventually taking the reins when the 67-year-old Scot retires.

The leaks could be seen as an attempt to clinch a favourable new deal at Barca, but it is thought that the 38-year-old has a long-term ambition to manage in England and also admires Chelsea.

It is understood that he admires the power that managers like Ferguson get over all matters of the club in the Barclays Premier League.

In contrast, Guardiola works with a technical secretariat at Barca, headed by Txiki Begiristain, who is in charge of player recruitment and strategy.

The model is common in Spain, Italy and other European leagues, though in England there has been resistance to director-of-football-style roles.

zocoss SG

Someone is creating this news to get him a better deal with Barce thats all... Remember their goalkeeper Victor Valdes, Fergie was never even interested but the news still came out in Spain... Then there was Puyol as well... all same tactics to make the club give them a better deal thats all... lol. And since this is coming from Spain again, I think his agent may have a small part to do with it...

Poignant SG

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola would welcome the chance to take charge of a Premiership club like Manchester United.

Guardiola has been linked with Sir Alex Ferguson's job at Manchester United.

The rookie Catalan coach is out of contract at the end of the season, leading to speculation about how long he will stay with the club he led to an unprecedented six trophies in a single year.

There are rumours in Spain that Guardiola could leave the Nou Camp as early as April to work under Ferguson at Old Trafford before eventually taking the reins when the 67-year-old Scot retires.

The Daily Mail says it is understood that he admires the power that managers like Ferguson get over all matters of the club in the Barclays Premier League.

In contrast, Guardiola works with a technical secretariat at Barca, headed by Txiki Begiristain, who is in charge of player recruitment and strategy.

The model is common in Spain, Italy and other European leagues, though in England there has been resistance to director-of-football-style roles.

Rooney9 SG

its hogwash.

Rock^Star SG

can we have like....someone british? if guardiola comes, man utd gonna be spanish. Arsenal almost became french at one time, liverpool spanish.....

Rooney9 SG

I dun believe he will come unless that day arrived and is a reality. otherwise its all speculation.

mlmersrlosers SG

joke of the season

mlmersrlosers SG

I dun believe he will come unless that day arrived and is a reality. otherwise its all speculation.

LIKE CHELSEA ALMOST ALL BLACKS ALSO