Tony Sharkey has now revealed that Pep Guardiola came close to joining Manchester City back in 2005.
The football agent made the revelation when speaking to the BBC.
So, what happened between Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in 2005? Let’s take a look…
Guardiola almost joined Manchester City in 2005
Well, the Spaniard took over from Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 – although he could have been at the club over a decade before while still in his playing days.
Sharkey told the BBC: “I was asked by a Spanish agent to find him a Premier League football club where he would go on trial. He was 34 at the time.
“I was told he was serious about playing in the Premier League and giving the Premier League a shot before he retired. We walked down a corridor and Andy Cole came out of the dressing room, and he did that, you know, hero worship sign (gestures bowing down to Guardiola).
“Then we went to see the home game against West Bromich Albion. We went into the director’s box for that match… but the game itself was not a great advert for the Premier League. I was squirming a little bit because it was quite a direct game. David James was launching it for flick ons and knock downs, completely bypassing the midfield. I was just thinking, this is not going to suit Pep’s style of play.
“He was offered a six-month deal but he just felt it was too short.”
Where Guardiola eventually moved to
After rejecting a contract offer from Manchester City in 2005, Guardiola, who now receives £378,846-a-week from the Citizens, then decided to sign for Dorados in Mexico.
The 53-year-old made just ten appearances for the Mexican outfit before retiring from his playing career in 2006 and taking a coaching role with Barcelona B in 2007.
The rest – as they say – is history.
