Pep is currently contracted with Bundesliga club Bayern Munich until 2016, and says he can see himself taking over Van Gaal’s position at United one day.
In his newly released book ‘Pep Confidential’, author Marti Perarnau wrote: “A year before, in late July 2011, not long after a resounding 3-1 victory in the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley, Barcelona competed in the Audi Cup in Munich.
“Pep liked the set-up at Säbener Strasse [Bayern’s training complex], despite the fact that it was smaller than Barça’s training ground and had fewer technical facilities.
“The Catalan was impressed and told Manel Estiarte his personal assistant privately: “I like this place. I could see myself coaching here one day. Pep had said something very similar a few months before, at Manchester United.
“The day after beating Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, Guardiola and Estiarte travelled to Manchester to watch their next opponent in action.
“It was May 4, 2011, and the pair sat together in the stands of Old Trafford watching Sir Alex Ferguson’s team beat Schalke 4-1. Once again Pep had turned to his friend and said: ‘I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.’
“Guardiola has always felt a deep admiration, almost veneration, for the legendary teams and players of Europe.”
When asked about his aspirations to manage United, Guardiola added: “I am here. I am at Bayern and I want to stay two more years here.”
