Pep Guardiola's Agent Breaks Silence on Man City Future Amid Rumours of Bayern Return
By Tom Gott
The agent of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated his client's happiness at the Etihad Stadium, despite rumours suggesting he could return to Bayern Munich.
Bayern are on the lookout for a permanent successor to former boss Niko Kovač, and Guardiola has been suggested as a possible candidate. He is still popular at the Allianz Arena, having enjoyed three successful years with Bayern before moving to City.
Speaking to Spox and Goal, Guardiola's agent Josep Maria Orobitg insisted that the manager remains happy with City, although he did leave the door open to a potential move away once his contract expires.
"In football, nothing is certain," Orobitg said. "I only spoke with Pep last Wednesday, and everything is the same: he feels good at Manchester City and also in the city of Manchester, and he has a contract until 30 June, 2021."
Orobitg's comments came on the back of new Bayern president Herbert Hainer's admission that Guardiola is the kind of manager the Bundesliga giants are looking for.
"Guardiola is a great coach, but he has a contract with Manchester City," Hainer said at the club's annual general meeting.
"Let's wait until the board comes in. Then we'll deal with all the alternatives, but in principle we want the best coach."
Guardiola is understood to be under consideration by Bayern, alongside Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino, but Spox claim that former Manchester United manager José Mourinho is not in the running for the role.
Many at the Allianz Arena are keen on a reunion with Guardiola, including right-back Joshua Kimmich, who recently added: "I do not know how realistic [Guardiola's return] is, but I would not be against it."
Guardiola has never spent longer than four years at one club, but he would reach five seasons if he stays with City until the end of his current contract.