BBC journalist Ian McGarry believes so, he says ‘a deal has edged closer’ over the past few days. Would you like to see Guardiola at Arsenal?
Like a mirage in the middle of a desert, when Arsenal fans were reeling from the most crushing of defeats, they were offered a ray of hope.
Hours after their 4-0 destruction by an Ibrahimovic-inspired Milan side, McGarry provided it via his Twitter account, and Arsenal fans will surely hope his sources are correct.
He tweeted: “Pep Guardiola swapping #FCB for #AFC next season has moved a bit closer in the past five days.”
Adding, “Guardiola feels (his) part in #FCB success has been ignored. Leading new club to former glory is very attractive.”
Food for thought, a dream scenario for Arsenal fans?
So could it really happen?
The manager behind the Barcelona team some say is the world’s best ever, coming to the Emirates and Arsene Wenger packing his bags?
Doubters have been quick to rebuke him, asking “Why on earth would Guardiola swap coaching Messi, Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta for Walcott, Ramsey, Song and Arshavin?!! No chance.”
It is a fair point.
Yet it is widely known Guardiola has been reluctant to commit to Barcelona’s long-term project.
He is a young coach, who has already achieved more in the game than Arsene Wenger when it comes to winning Champions League titles, and he is on a very short-term contract.
During last year’s blazing rows with Mourinho there was speculation he could walk away altogether, and those doubts remain.
What more can he achieve at Barcelona? McGarry is likely right when he says Guardiola wants a new challenge of restoring a club to their past glories.
The question is, would that be Arsenal?
Wenger’s position is secure, despite fan dissent, compared to say Villas-Boas at Chelsea. Chelsea would be able to offer him far more than Arsenal, but do not have the history, and given the Blues’ history of sacking managers after one or two seasons he would be advised against it.
Arsenal may be a logical step for him, the clubs have met in the past so he is familiar with them, and North London has been a hunting ground for Barcelona players over the years.
England is a country where Guardiola has won the Champions League as both a player and a manager, so it may make sense he would choose his next option as a country where he holds memories of success.
Another option for Guardiola is whether he should hold out until Sir Alex Ferguson retires, to take on the manager’s role at Manchester United, which would no doubt be a huge challenge.
Rival Mourinho is reportedly interested in the job, but many purist United fans would rather see Guardiola and his attractive style of football at Old Trafford.
Guardiola at Arsenal or wherever he goes would have to prove himself all over again, he would not have the world’s best players at his disposal, but that would be all part of the challenge.
Could it happen? You tell us.
Arsenal fans, would you swap Wenger for Guardiola?
image: © Will Palmer
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