23 Oct 2015 23:11:25
A couple of rags I keep in my emergency toilet roll cabinet are running that pep is interested in managing in London. Has he actually said that or do newspapers just come up with something and hope no one calls BS? I know ed002 you have said previously that he was likely to leave Bayern I was wondering if that's still the case and if you had any insights into his personality and preferences and ours if he became available would Wenger be willing to step down and does pep prefer a challenge or the easiest route there's a big difference between taking the bayern job and the arsenal job. And if he preferred the easier route the Chelsea job would be the easier one with more backing in London. But we would probably be more his style. In your opinion is he a good manager who could achieve something great with us or has he been lucky with the team's he's managed?

{Ed002's Note - I have explained on many occasions that it is true that Guardiola has said that he would be interested in managing in London.

Right now the situation remains that Bayern Munich want Guardiola to sign a new contract and commit to spending a longer time with the club. Talking with a Spanish former player who knows Guardiola well and works within the media, he said that Munich had originally asked to be informed in November of his future plans but then tried to accelerate the process once Brendan Rodgers left Liverpool - the reason being that Munich were interest in Klipperty joining them as Guardiola's replacement. However, attempts to have Guardiola decide earlier than planned fell on deaf ears. I understand that they will know if he would be open to a new contract at the end of the year. I understand that their great fear is that he will only agree to a one year extension. That really won't help them at all.

I have previously spoken with a well known German ex international player - and he expected Guardiola to stay and run down his contract and he feels that there are clubs who want him next summer - Manchester City being one. I would stress that there is some undeclared interest from elsewhere that could see a real shock as to what happens with him.

With Klipperty moving to Liverpool, Bayern Munich are also looking for a plan B solution and do have a potential replacement in mind.

I understand that in the pre-season and early in there was an issue that was proving to be of great concern to Monsieur Wenger and there was a chance that he would not see out his contract. To allay fears that would happen, and after some discussions, he has now stated that he will retire in the summer of 2017 when his contract expires.

Unless the issue M Wenger is concerned over comes back to the fore, I think it very unlikely that he would step down next summer. As for Chelsea, the situation is that they have a manager but the media and the FA are making the situation very difficult there - but the club are already working with the manager regarding player changes in 2016, and unless the situation further deteriorates nothing will change. If it does change, Chelsea will certainly declare an interest.

There will most likely be interest from Manchester City unless they win the league and do very well in the Champions League. Folks keep mentioning that they already have an agreement with him (like they said for this past summer). It is simply not true.

If Guardiola only wants to sign a one year extension then that certainly puts Bayern Munich in a difficult situation. And it would open up other opportunities for Guardiola in Manchester and London.

But as I have said, there is a dark horse still - and that, might provide a shock.}

1.) 24 Oct 2015
24 Oct 2015 12:18:17
Thnks for this Ed. Do you know if Wenger's issue is personal or professional? I don't think there is a Gooner out there who would wish a health problem on him.

2.) 24 Oct 2015
24 Oct 2015 14:51:48
thanks for a great and intriguing reply ed.

3.) 25 Oct 2015
25 Oct 2015 04:35:41
ED002. Thanks for the detailed reply. Can you please let us know who the dark horse is?

Thanks again.

{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant.}

4.) 27 Oct 2015
27 Oct 2015 06:34:02
Ed2, is Manchester United the dark horse? Or is the dark horse even a pl club?

{Ed002's Note - As I said it is unimportant to Arsenal.}