Manchester United have denied reports that club officials met Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola in Paris last week to discuss the possibility of him replacing Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.
A report in France Football on Thursday claimed that the meeting with the Spaniard took place at the Hotel Bristol in the 8th arrondissement of the French capital last week. However, a United spokesman insisted there was no truth in the story.
Guardiola announced in December he would be leaving Bayern at the end of the season and confirmed that, for his next job, he would like to manage a club in England.
“I need a new challenge and I want to use that chance to be a manager in England,” he said. “I want to experience the atmosphere in England and I look forward to the stadiums there. I am 44 and it is the right time. There are offers but I haven’t signed for anyone yet. When I have a new club I will let everyone know.”
This has led to speculation that United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all interested in appointing him, with City believed to be the front-runners given Guardiola’s links to chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain.
But with reports that Louis van Gaal could decide to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, United may also be in the frame for the former Barcelona coach, who has previously expressed a desire to manage the 20-times English champions.
After a month’s break, Bayern resume their Bundesliga campaign on Friday night against Hamburg with an eight-point lead over nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund.
