Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition - 7M sport

Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition



Posted Friday, May 24, 2019 by Express.co.uk

PEP GUARDIOLA told friends, colleagues and business associates in February that he would quit Manchester City if the club won the quadruple, according to reports.

Guardiola reiterated throughout the season that it was “impossible” for his side to win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Come mid-April - when the last of those trophies was in the bag, an FA Cup final beckoned, a one-point lead atop the league was wielded and Tottenham stood in the way of a Champions League semi-final - things were looking pretty good.

But despite their unbelievable 15-match winning streak in the league which secured the back-to-back league titles and a 6-0 dismantling of Watford to make it a domestic treble, Tottenham ended those quadruple dreams.

Perhaps Spurs’ dramatic 4-4 aggregate victory on away goals was a blessing in disguise, however, as it secured Guardiola’s stay.

That is because Goal have reported that the Spanish tactician told close associates during a meal after their Carabao Cup triumph in February that he would “quit” if they won all four major trophies.

Although it seemed a joke at first, Guardiola was ostensibly serious, as per more than one member of that table.

The 48-year-old is contracted at Etihad Stadium until 2021, but has recently been the subject of sensational reports in Italy that he is to join Juventus.

Italian journalist Federico Gennarelli, of Radio Sportiva, announced on Tuesday that Guardiola had agreed terms with the Turin club following Massimiliano Allegri’s exit.

Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition
Pep Guardiola was ready to quit Man City if they won the quadruple (Image: Getty)

Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition
The Carabao Cup was the first of three domestic trophies for Pep Guardiola and Man City (Image: Getty)

"Pep #Guardiola will be the new coach of the #Juventus. 4-year contract. Deal done,” he claimed.

The rumours have been stoked by UEFA’s ongoing investigation into City’s financial dealings, with the club potentially facing a one-year ban from the Champions League.

Guardiola made clear before the FA Cup win that he would not be joining Juventus but that did not put a stop to Gennarelli’s report.

Such was the wide reach and impact of the article that City board member Alberto Galassi responded on Thursday.

Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition
Pep Guardiola will succeed departing Juventus boss Max Allegri, according to sensational claims (Image: Getty)

Pep Guardiola told close associates he would ‘quit’ Man City on one condition
Man City board member Alberto Galassi dismissed claims about Pep Guaridola and Juventus (Image: Getty)

"As a City board member, I was surprised to read such codswallop,” he said.

"He’s our Coach and, he wants to stay with us. He can’t understand how his word is not being heard. It’s all a falsehood.

"The first thing a serious club does in these cases is to contact the other club. It’s unthinkable that City are unaware of his supposed presentation in just a few days.

"The story is totally without foundation. We don’t understand why a club should intervene for the umpteenth time to say Guardiola doesn’t want to leave Manchester City. This question doesn’t exist.

"I’m sorry for the Juventus fans, but they’ll have to find another Coach.”



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