Xavi exclusive: Pep Guardiola would be a big success in England

ByPete Burton

Updated 08/10/2015 at 09:50 GMT

As renewed reports suggest Pep Guardiola has agreed to take over at Manchester City next summer, his former protégé Xavi has told Eurosport in an exclusive interview that the Bayern Munich coach would be a certain success in the Premier League.

A highly-respected journalist at Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo claims Guardiola has verbally agreed to join Manchester City when his contract with Bayern Munich expires in June 2016.

Guardiola, who has won the Bundesliga twice in two seasons and has Bayern top by seven points again after winning eight times in eight matches, is said to have given his word to City director of football Txiki Begiristain, a former Barcelona employee.

Xavi became the greatest midfielder in world football under Guardiola’s tutelage at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012, and has backed him to excel if he does decide to continue his career in England after three years in Germany.

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Asked if Guardiola would be a success in the Premier League, Xavi told Eurosport.co.uk's Pete Burton: “He would adapt to any team, any team. He would bring his fantastic touch of football.

“Pep is a very prepared manager, he’s very meticulous, a perfectionist, he’s got very clear mind for football and would be a success in any team.”

Guardiola’s contractual situation is a matter of constant speculation, and although Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently said he expected him to stay at Allianz Arena, the fact the Catalan is yet to commit his future has allowed uncertainty to spread.

Xavi says he is unsure what the future holds for Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola took umbrage at questions linking him with England recently

Image credit: PA Sport

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” he said. “It depends on football and the results as we don’t know what’s going to happen yet. Maybe he will win the treble and his contract will be renewed, I don’t know.

“He’s a magnificent manager and he’s doing a great job. They’ve had an incredible start, that’s clear. They are giving us extraordinary football.”

Look out for more insights from our lengthy interview with Xavi over the next few days, as he discusses Barcelona, Spain, Messi, Van Gaal and all manner of topics.

Xavi was speaking at a promotional event for Tocball. Visit the Facebook page here.

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