|
|
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson advises Pep Guardiola to stay at Barcelona
The legendary Scottish manager told the young Catalan coach that there is no better place he could be in the world of football than at Camp Nou
Jan 9, 2012 12:25:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Sir Alex Ferguson feels Pep Guardiola should ignore thoughts of succeeding him as Manchester United boss and instead remain with Barcelona.
Ferguson recently stated that he intends to vacate the Old Trafford hot seat in three years and Guardiola has been put forward by many pundits as the ideal replacement for the legendary Scottish manager.
With both men having been nominated for FIFA’s Coach of the Year award, the pair came face to face at a press conference in Zurich on Monday during which Ferguson was asked if Guardiola would be the right man to succeed him as United boss.
"Why do you have to replace me?” Ferguson replied with a wry smile on his face as he turned to address his Barcelona counterpart. “If I were you I would stay at your club.”
While Ferguson was joking about the insinuated threat to his position, his assertion that Guardiola could not be in a better position at the moment was 100 per cent genuine.
“At this moment, they [Barcelona] are by far away the best team in the world,” the 70-year-old Glaswegian declared. “We've been hurt by them on more than one occasion and it's impossible not to recognize that they are the best. It's that simple.”
Ferguson also reiterated that he intends to stick to his promise to carry on for another three years.
"We're planning for the future with the club but if I can stay there for a few more years, I will,” he explained. “It depends on my health but right now I feel perfect.”
Ferguson took charge of Manchester United in 1986 and has led the club to a staggering 12 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns over the past 26 years
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
Ferguson recently stated that he intends to vacate the Old Trafford hot seat in three years and Guardiola has been put forward by many pundits as the ideal replacement for the legendary Scottish manager.
With both men having been nominated for FIFA’s Coach of the Year award, the pair came face to face at a press conference in Zurich on Monday during which Ferguson was asked if Guardiola would be the right man to succeed him as United boss.
"Why do you have to replace me?” Ferguson replied with a wry smile on his face as he turned to address his Barcelona counterpart. “If I were you I would stay at your club.”
While Ferguson was joking about the insinuated threat to his position, his assertion that Guardiola could not be in a better position at the moment was 100 per cent genuine.
“At this moment, they [Barcelona] are by far away the best team in the world,” the 70-year-old Glaswegian declared. “We've been hurt by them on more than one occasion and it's impossible not to recognize that they are the best. It's that simple.”
Ferguson also reiterated that he intends to stick to his promise to carry on for another three years.
"We're planning for the future with the club but if I can stay there for a few more years, I will,” he explained. “It depends on my health but right now I feel perfect.”
Ferguson took charge of Manchester United in 1986 and has led the club to a staggering 12 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns over the past 26 years
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.