Pep Guardiola wants the 'challenge' of the English Premier League

Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that his desire to leave the top job at German giants Bayern Munich was driven by his craving to manage a team in England’s Premier League. The Spanish coach told journalists that he needed a new challenge and had received several offers but was yet to sign anything. Guardiola has lost only two of 26 games this season as manager of Bayern.

Photo: REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

“That's the only reason I haven't extended my contract,” Guardiola told a press conference. “If I was 55 or 60 years old, as my predecessor Jupp Heynckes was, I would stay at Bayern Munich until Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness or Matthias Sammer said, Pep it's enough, go home!”

Guardiola left Barcelona in 2012 after four years and had become one of the most successful managers in the club’s history. He signed a three-year deal, reportedly worth 22 million euros, with Bayern Munich in January 2013.

In the last five years, Bayern have won five trophies although the coveted European Cup has eluded Guardiola during his time in the Bundesliga.

“I think I'm still young, I'm 44 years old, I need a new challenge. I don't want to end my career without an experience in England,” said the Spaniard.

Guardiola has already been linked with Chelsea after the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

There have also been reports connecting him to Manchester City whose manager Manuel Pellegrini has a contract until 2017.

Guardiola described it as the “right time” and said he had already received “several offers” but had not signed anything yet.

Bookmakers make Manchester City the favourites to secure Guardiola’s services with Irish bookmakers Paddy Power placing Manchester United and Arsenal joint second favourites.