Agencies
London, Dec 23: They are three of a kind, more in demand than some of the star footballers of the present era. While Carlo Ancelotti has already been picked up by Bayern Munich, top European clubs are gunning for Pep Guardiola and recently-sacked Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Guardiola expressed his desire to leave Bayern during a meeting with the club management last week as he wanted new challenges. The German giants wasted no time in appointing Ancelotti who – a few months back had stated that Bundesliga is ‘boring’ and ‘Bayern has no challenges’ – promptly took up the offer.
“I will have no difficulty in managing Bayern,” the Italian has been quoted as saying by the club’s website. “I am learning German, so that I can communicate with the players, though it is not a very easy language. And I expect tough challenges in the Bundesliga. However, I will not target the German League only, my aim is to establish the club at the top of the Europe pedestal by winning the Champions League.”
Ancelotti may have sealed his future for the next couple of years, but a bitter battle involving English clubs is developing for both Guardiola and Mourinho. Initially, it had transpired that Guardiola, the founder of the ‘Tiki-Taka’ style will replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City. However, Chelsea, who have appointed Guus Hiddink as interim coach, has now joined the fray.
Guardiola’s wife has a distinct liking for London and wants to stay close to the city. This has prompted Chelsea officials to open a dialogue with Guardiola’s agents as they know that the coach’s wife will play a crucial role in the final decision. So desperate are Chelsea for Guardiola that owner Roman Abramovich is ready to pay any amount. Mourinho, who running the show at Stamford Bridge even a week back, had an annual salary of approximately six million pounds annually. Abramovich is willing to double the amount to get the services of the Spanish coach.
So where does that leave Jose Mourinho? He is not taking a sabbatical as many thought he would. In fact, Mourinho is suddenly in contention to replace his idol Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford. Three successive defeats (the Champions League ouster and two EPL losses) have suddenly put the Dutchman’s job on the line. Van Gaal, himself has said so and the owners of the club are ready to replace him with the Portuguese.
“I am keeping my options open,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by ‘Daily Mail’ a couple of days back. “Discussions have started with a few clubs, though it would be inappropriate for me to say anything right at this moment. But I won’t be idle for long,” he had asserted.
Looks like the New Year will ring in many more news regarding Guardiola and Mourinho.
