Guardiola Apologises To Premier League Managers For Sparking Managerial Speculation

Last month Bayern Munich announced that Guardiola will leave the club this summer at the end of his contract, with former Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti taking over.

Guardiola has since expressed his wish to manage in the Premier League, leading to speculation that both Manchester City and United, along with Chelsea, are interested in appointing him.

The Spaniard even revealed he had received “several offers” from the Premier League.

Speaking at Bayern’s winter training camp in Doha, he said he was “sorry” if his comments were disrespectful.

“It was not my intention to offend anybody,” said the 44-year-old.

“Normally in my career as a trainer and as a player, I respect my colleagues a lot.”

Guardiola however refused to be drawn on who his next employers would be, saying he would reveal the name of the club only after he had signed a contract.

“I don’t know. Of course I’m focused on Bayern Munich, but this doesn’t change the fact that I will be training a team next season, he said.

“No changes, absolutely. I’m working here. I cannot answer, until I sign my new contract. Maybe this happens during the season, maybe later, I can’t tell now. Whenever it happens.”

Bayern lead the Bundesliga by eight points, but have twice been eliminated from Champions League at the semifinal stage under Guardiola. The biggest trophy in club football remains Guardiola’s goal, but he believes that Bayern, right now, don’t have what it takes to lift the cup.

Guardiola said: “We are not ready to win the Champions League yet. We need to make a step forward, for instance, we have a problem when we concede a goal. We lose our concentration and the control. Then, we are not stable enough.”

Guardiola, who won 13 trophies as Barcelona manager from 2008 until 2012, has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Bayern’s next game is against Hamburg on Jan. 22, when the league resumes after the winter break.