Bayern Munich join chase for Guardiola's signature

Bayern Munich have emerged as a serious threat to Manchester City’s hopes of luring Pep Guardiola to The Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. 

With time running out for Roberto Mancini, following another Champions' League failure and claims of dressing room unrest, City have made Guardiola their top target and believe they have a better chance than Chelsea of enticing him back to management. 

The Blues are desperate to bring him to Stamford Bridge, although have begun to draw up a list of second-choices because they are worried Guardiola is unwilling to work under notoriously impatient owner Roman Abramovich. 

But whether City have a better chance than Bayern is beginning to look increasingly doubtful. 

Talks have already taken place between Bayern bosses and Guardiola’s brother Pere, and the former Barcelona coach is now waiting for the outcome of discussions in the New Year over Jupp Heynckes’ future. 

Officially, Bayern want their veteran boss to continue for another year and have said they will tell him as much when they sit down with him in February or March. 

The word within the Allianz Arena, however, is that the meeting could be as early as next month and that Heynckes, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, will indicate he is ready to step down in May, when he turns 68. 

There is a growing feeling that if Bayern win the Bundesliga, which they led by 11 points going into Bayer Leverkusen’s game at Hannover on Sunday afternoon, or especially the Champions’ League, Heynckes would consider it the ideal way to bow out. 

Guardiola has been made aware he is far and away Bayern’s top choice to take over and left in little doubt that he can name his own terms. 

Bayern would not only meet his financial demands but, despite the presence of former playing legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, allow him total control of football matters, without any interference. 

The presence of former Barcelona officials Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano at The Etihad can only enhance City’s prospects of winning any tug-of-war for Guardiola, should Mancini be axed amid claims his players are not responding to his style of management. 

Bayern will not give in without a fight and even have their former striker Luca Toni, a close friend of Guardiola’s after they played together at Brescia a decade ago, aiding their cause. 

‘I have spoken to Pep a couple of times about what he might do next and recommended Bayern to him,’ said the Italy forward. ‘The circumstances and everything about the club would be perfect for him.’

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Source: DailyMail