Could Pep Guardiola head back to Bayern Munich and leave Manchester City before his contract ends?
According to the Mirror, Pep Guardiola has had the worst start to a season statistically speaking. Manchester City have lost a third of their 12 matches in the Premier League and are on pace for 79 points.
With Guardiola showing obvious signs of frustration at the Etihad Stadium, questions have been asked about his future at Manchester City. Guardiola’s former club Bayern Munich are searching for the next permanent manager to take charge of the club following the sacking of Niko Kovac.
Hansi Flick has been in charge of Bayern Munich since Kovac’s sacking but is unlikely to stay on as a permanent manager. Guardiola won three Bundesliga titles and two DFB Pokals. He also was noted for changing Bayern Munich’s style of play and signing several Spanish players such as Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara.
Despite his domestic success, Guardiola failed to win the Champions League while in Munich. Guardiola’s time at Bayern Munich was very similar to his tenure at Manchester City. The manager’s team is dominating the domestic front but struggling when it winning in the latter stages of the Champions League.
According to Sky Sports, Guardiola will see out his contract at Manchester City despite being linked to a return to the Allianz Arena. Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad Stadium ends in 2021 and Manchester City have already made moves to prepare a successor.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a fellow former Barcelona player, has been earmarked for the Manchester City job following Guardiola’s future departure. Van Bronckhorst could be handed sister-club New York City FC’s head coaches role for the 2020 season as a way to prepare him for the Manchester City job.
Patrick Vieira had been readied for the Manchester City job but the Frenchman joined Nice following his learning years at New York City FC.
Although Guardiola said he will see out his current contract, the Mirror claimed Bayern Munich chiefs have met with the same agent that lured the manager to Germany previously. Could lightning strike twice?