Manchester City have no fears that Pep Guardiola will walk away - because he has already rejected the chance to become the new coach of Brazil.
Guardiola, 51, signed a two-year contract extension in November - only to admit last week that he would quit the Etihad if he felt his influence on City’s squad was starting to decline. But Guardiola was offered the tantalising opportunity to accomplish two ambitions last month when Brazil legend Ronaldo made a tentative enquiry to the Catalan’s brother and agent, Pere, to see if the Blues’ was interested in succeeding Tite as head coach.
Guardiola has always said that he would like the chance to take his talents to South America and that conquering international football is also on his wish-list. But Ronaldo was informed that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss signed his new deal because he has unfinished business in Manchester.
City trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by five points as they look to become only the sixth club to win three successive league championships after beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
And Guardiola is also driven by the yearning to lift the Champions League for the first time since his Barca team claimed their second European crown in 2011.
The Brazilian Football Confederation are open to the idea of the five-time World Cup winners being coached by a foreigner for the first time since Portuguese Joreca took charge for two friendly games in 1944.
Real Madrid ’s Carlo Ancelotti also declined the opportunity to put himself in the frame in the aftermath of Brazil’s shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Croatia in Qatar last month.
City face Chelsea again in the third round of the FA Cup at the Etihad on Sunday, having already knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
