Guardiola for Man Utd? Pep rant could delay Van Gaal deal
Bayern Munich coach tells club to back him or sack him as fears grow over Van Gaal
PEP GUARDIOLA has emerged as a shock candidate for the Manchester United manager's job after challenging Bayern Munich to back him or sack him in the wake of the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
The German champions were beaten 4-0 in front of their own fans on Tuesday night and the defeat has prompted questions about Guardiola's rigid adherance to the 'tiki-taka' style of possession football he pioneered with Barcelona. The Spanish coach was unrepentant in the aftermath of defeat, but criticism of his methods from some of German football's biggest names including Franz Beckenbauer appears to have riled him. "The club must decide if the coach is the right one for the club," he said today. "I won't change my opinion about the club and the people who work here after one defeat. I feel like a part of the club and will do my best with my ideas until the last day. "Following this defeat I am even more convinced of my philosophy... Beckenbauer should be telling war time stories to children instead of telling me how to coach my team." Such belligerance from a usually mild-mannered manager are sure to raise eyebrows and the Daily Telegraph says that Guardiola's comments have not gone unnoticed at Manchester United, as doubts grow over the wisdom of appointing Louis Van Gaal as the new manager. The club is close to unveiling Van Gaal as successor to David Moyes, says the paper, "but if Guardiola's job in Germany is seen as being in doubt it could prompt Old Trafford officials to rethink their options". That might go down well in some quarters, as concerns about the cantankerous Dutchman's approach grow. Former Bayern Munich manager Mehmet Scholl told The Guardian that Van Gaal was "very strict and severe" and added: "Everywhere he was he had some problems with big players and the staff." In March, before he was lined up to take over at Old Trafford, Man City's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, described Van Gaal as "very difficult", reports The Times. "He is very tough, people don't like him, but he wins," he added. Another concern is that the arrival of Van Gaal could force out interim manager Ryan Giggs, a hero to the Old Trafford faithful. The Telegraph says that there is now "uncertainty over his future at Manchester United" and warns that "Giggs's position is in doubt".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 19, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - junk food, health drinks, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Band Aid 40: time to change the tune?
In the Spotlight Band Aid's massively popular 1984 hit raised around £8m for famine relief in Ethiopia and the charity has generated over £140m in total
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Starmer vs the farmers: who will win?
Today's Big Question As farmers and rural groups descend on Westminster to protest at tax changes, parallels have been drawn with the miners' strike 40 years ago
By The Week UK Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated