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Pep Guardiola wants a job in the Premier League
Sorry, Bayern.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola started his managerial career at a club where he was one of the most popular players of all time. He moved on to a club with fans that were skeptical of his style of soccer and had to win them over. And now that he’s done well with both of those challenges, he’d like to do something different and head to a country where the managers are the real superstars and he’s revered as a footballing god.
Guardiola has admitted that he didn’t renew his contract at Bayern Munich because he wants to manage in England. “I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England,” Guardiola said. “I have several offers from England but I haven’t signed anything yet ... I haven’t decided on a new club yet.”
Slolom run of the day
In the news
Zinedine Zidane is the new manager of Real Madrid. (Real Madrid)
Gareth Bale wasn’t happy with Rafa Benitez’s sacking, but Zidane says he’ll keep him happy. (Guardian)
Madrid hadn’t told Benitez he was fired before the announcement. (MARCA)
Samir Handanovic has signed an extension with Inter Milan. (Inter)
New Barcelona players Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will debut in the Copa del Rey this week. (ESPN FC)
Dax McCarty looks likely to sign a contract extension with New York Red Bulls. (Goal.com)
Suns owner Robert Sarver and Steve Nash have completed the purchase of Mallorca CF. (AP)
FIFA’s ethics committee has recommended a nine-year ban for Jerome Valcke. (Mirror)
You should be reading
David Squires’ comic on soccer bingo for 2016. (Guardian)
Lee Scott on Roberto Martinez’s system at Everton. (These Football Times)
Ian King on the failed Charlton Athletic project. (Two Hundred Percent)
Fun with transfer rumors
Silly season has returned. Please don’t take anything in this section too seriously.
Marco Verratti’s agent says he’s more likely to move to Bayern than Madrid or Barca. (Goal.com)
Chelsea might move for Shakhtar star Alex Teixeira. (Mail)
Juventus want Ilkay Gündogan, but Dortmund aren’t listening. (Football Italia)
Arsenal could pay big to sign Troy Deeney. (Telegraph)
Manchester United are going to throw a lot of money at Gareth Bale. (Mirror)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
League Cup: Stoke vs. Liverpool (3 p.m.) -- Jürgen Klopp has a decent shot to deliver a trophy in year one.
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