Former Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola is all set to replace Roberto Mancini as the head of the English Premier League’s defending Champions’ Manchester City next season, claims the British tabloid The Sun.

Pep Guardiola headed for Manchester City

The 41 year old dismissed offers from various other big clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and AC Milan and reportedly chose to coach at The Ethiad. It is said that he believed that the Abu Dhabi owned side was one of the strongest contenders for top English honours and had the potential to rival his former club Barcelona.

Last Monday, during the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony, the Spanish announced his return to coaching after a year long break. He had stepped down as the manager of Barcelona at the end of the season last year after serving for four years at the helm at Camp Nou guiding the Catalans to 14 title wins which includes two Champions League trophies.

He said “I will return next season but it would show a lack of respect to talk about any team that has a coach.”

According to the reports in The Sun, a high level Spanish source has assured that Guardiola would be moving to Manchester next season. The paper quoted, “It is 100 per cent certain that Guardiola is going to City this summer,”

“And when I say 100 per cent I don’t mean 99 per cent, I mean 100 per cent!”

Mancini had a successful run at Eastland last year winning the English Premier League. He has also won the FA Cup during his time with the club. But his failure to guide this expensive side past the group stage in the Champions League on two occasions and the fact that they are seven points behind the leaders Manchester United in the Premier League standings this season, may see the Italian exit the club.

Although rumours are still doing rounds in the German newspapers that Pep may join FC Bayern, there is a greater possibility of him moving to the Premier League which can be better adapted to.

If this deal with Manchester City comes through, Guardiola would be the highest paid soccer manager in the English Premier League earning 10 million pounds a year after taxes.

Tags: Barcelona, English Premier League, EPL, Josep Guardiola, Manchester City, Premier League, Roberto Mancini