Guardiola makes Manchester United admission

Guardiola makes Manchester United admission

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists that he has no memory of being touted by Sir Alex Ferguson for the United job 5 years ago.

Ferguson treated Guardiola to dinner in a New York restaurant back in 2012, when the Spaniard was on a sabbatical. It was believed that the Scot was considering retirement, and wanted Guardiola to replace him as manager at Old Trafford.

As it turned out, Guardiola joined Bayern Munich before then becoming manager of bitter rivals City.


Despite Ferguson writing that he even hinted to Guardiola about being United during their meeting, the Spaniard says he does not recall the United job being mentioned.

“If he suggested to me something like I go to Old Trafford, I don’t remember,” he said. “I know he has said that but I don’t remember.

“We spoke about life, about football, the Premier League but he never sent me a message under the table to say, ‘you know maybe United…’ or something like that.

“It was just two friends, good friends, colleagues in football, talking about many things.

“I remember when he spoke a little bit fast it was difficult to understand him! But it was nice because he chose an amazing restaurant and, of course, he paid.”

Guardiola also gave an insight to his relationship with Jose Mourinho, who he says he respects despite sharing a lot of rivalry with.

“We have faced each other many times in big moments.

“My opinion about what he has done as a manager will never change. I know the way we see the game is different but we love to compete, we love to win games.

“Believe me, it is not a special situation when I beat somebody’s teams at all. I want to win but when I lose I accept the defeat and I try to learn from that for the next one. Then we move on.

“I respect a lot of my colleagues, Jose as well. We want to beat each other but what happens on the pitch happens on the pitch. After that it is over.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]