Pep Guardiola To Return, Manchester United And City Possible Destinations

Where Will Guardiola Go?

Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will return to coaching in 2013 after a year-long sabbatical following his exit from Barcelona.

Guardiola won nine major honours in four seasons with Barça between 2008-12, with the squad recognised as one of club football's greatest ever sides.

Speaking prior to the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony, Guardiola said: "I have taken a decision to return to coaching but beyond that no decision has been taken," he said.

"I don't have a team to go to but I would like to go back to coaching."

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Where to go?

The probable destination for Guardiola is the Premier League.

He met Sir Alex Ferguson in New York in September last year, and although the Scot has been open about the rendezvous it has also been reported Manchester United chief executive David Gill and a member of the Glazer family also met Guardiola.

Chelsea would ideally appoint the Catalan as their full-time coach as Roman Abramovich endeavours to model his club on Barça's model. With Rafael Benítez only interim manager, there will be a summer vacancy at Stamford Bridge but the hollowness of the Blues and their trigger-happy mentality could count against them.

Manchester City last year appointed Ferran Soriano as their chief executive and Txiki Begiristain as director of football - two Spaniards who used to work at Barcelona - while Arsenal are an outside bet.

Despite living in New York during his year out, Guardiola still follows Barcelona.

"I keep on watching Barcelona on TV and it's a great show, a great team and I'm just a fan," he added.