Pep Guardiola already set the date on when he would be leaving his job at Bayern Munich, and after a week of speculation about his various options, the Spanish manager has reportedly settled on the joining the club he has been linked with for months.
German media outlet Bild is reporting that Guardiola has accepted a job with English Premier League side Manchester City, meaning current manager Manuel Pelligrini will be out of a job. Pelligrini’s current contract is set to expire in 2017, however the opportunity for City to acquire a coach like Guardiola is something they simply could pass on.
Guardiola had been linked with City for some time, particularly because of his relationship with managing director Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain from their time together at Barcelona.
The 44-year old manager already has a decorated coaching record, capturing two Champions League crowns with Barca, as well winning three La Liga titles. With Bayern, Guardiola has won back-to-back Bundesliga championships and is currently in the midst of making it three consecutive titles.
Here are some more news and notes:
VAN GAAL MELTS DOWN IN MEDIA SESSION, CHALLENGES REPORTING
Louis Van Gaal’s days may be numbered at Manchester United, and with rumors swirling about his alleged departure from the club, Van Gaal wasn’t overly happy fielding questions about his future with the Red Devils.
On Wednesday, the Manchester United manager stormed out of a press conference after pinning blame on the media for what he considers false reports about his job being in jeopardy.
The press conference, which was scheduled to preview this weekend’s clash against Stoke City, lasted less than five minutes. The 64-year old manager expressed his disgust with the way journalists have handled their reporting in regards to the state of the club and even demanded an apology.
“Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologize to me? Nobody has that feeling? That’s what I’m wondering,” Van Gaal said. “I think I was already sacked, I read — I have been sacked.”
“Do you think that I want to talk with the media now? I’m here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you. But I can only see when I say something that you use my words in your context.”
CONCACAF SUES CALIFORNIA COMPANY IN ALLEGED KICKBACK SCHEME
Former CONCACAF and FIFA executives Jeffrey Webb and Enrique Sanz are already at the forefront of the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigations into global soccer’s governing body, but now it is CONCACAF that has found reason for litigation.
The soccer association, which represents that of North and Central America as well as the Caribbean, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against California travel agency Cartan Tours over an alleged kickback scheme organized between the company and the two former CONCACAF executives.
The New York Daily News further clarified the goings-on of this story, explaining that Webb and Sanz worked out an agreement with Cartan owner David Elmore which made the company an exclusive travel partner of CONCACAF.
Neither Webb nor Sanz were listed in the CONCACAF lawsuit.
KOMPANY IN LINE FOR BOXING DAY RETURN TO MAN CITY
After missing roughly a month and a half with a calf injury, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is on pace to return in Saturday’s Boxing Day clash at Aston Villa.
City manager Manuel Pelligrini expressed his hopefulness for the Belgian’s return and the impact that he has had on the team.
“Vincent is working the last two days with the squad. I hope that for Saturday he’ll be OK,” Pellegrini said via the Manchester Evening News. “With Vincent returning to the team, with David and Sergio playing normally every week I suppose that we are going to continue being an important team for the fight of the title.”
While the Manchester club has only lost five matches this season, City has yet to lose in games that the 29-year old defender has taken part in. The Citizens currently sit third in the English Premier League table, six points behind leaders Leicester City.
CHELSEA AGREE TO DEAL FOR SHAKHTAR’S TEIXEIRA
Interim manager Guus Hiddink is rapidly closing on completing his first signing since re-joining Chelsea for his second stint with the English Premier League club.
The UK Express is reporting that the Blues have agreed to a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Alex Teixeira, after the Ukrainian club failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase. The January deal is said to be worth 30 million Euros.
Teixeira has been in tremendous form this season for Shakhtar, scoring 26 goals in as many appearances. The club’s original plans to keep the 25-year old until season’s end took a massive hit when Shakhtar bailed out of the Champions League, opening the door for a move to England which the Brazilian has always dreamt of.
Chelsea was also facing competition for the services of Teixeira from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
QUICK KICKS
Arsenal will hold discussions regarding the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in May, according to manager Arsene Wenger. (REPORT)
Tottenham’s Clinton N’Jie will miss at least two months after undergoing knee surgery. (REPORT)
Former England manager Don Howe passed away at the age of 80. (REPORT)
Montpellier manager Rolland Courbis has resigned from the French side after a dispute with team president Louis Nicollin. (REPORT)
NYCFC star David Villa claims Barcelona’s forward line is “best trident in Barca’s history.” (REPORT)
Manuel Pelligrini has always been a class act, but if Guardiola is available I guess you go all in for his services. Still feel bad for Pelligrini.