Where will Guardiola go? My conclusion may surprise you!

Now that Pep Guardiola has confirmed that his next management assignment will be in England, it's time to look at the contenders for his signature. You might be surprised at my conclusion.

Manchester City have long been the front runners, if the press is to be believed. The fact that two of his ex-Barcelona cohorts are in powerful positions at the club is more of a sign that City want to emulate Barça than a sign that the deal is done. I'm sure that City don't see Pellegrini as their long-term manager but this also doesn't automatically mean that Pep is a shoo-in. 

Manchester United are looking seriously at the future direction of the club. The style and results of Louis can Gaal are not what they want from a manager. The points and goals tallies are more akin to David Moyes than Sir Alex Ferguson. There's no doubt that, like City with Pellegrini, they will look elsewhere in the long term. But I believe that Ryan Giggs is pencilled-in as a young manager that knows the club - not unlike what Guardiola himself was to Barcelona. And Zidane to Real Madrid, as has happened this week.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a long-time admirer of Pep. But I can't help feeling that the admiration is one-way only. The repeated impatience with managers and the seemingly all-powerful dressing room is enough to send Guardiola running in the opposite direction. I'm sure that Chelsea would break the bank to secure his service and provide him with transfer riches, but that won't be enough.

Arsenal are my tip as his surprise destination in England. I think that Arsene Wenger will move upstairs at the end of the season and this is more likely if they win the league. London would surely prove a bigger draw than Manchester - especially if he's looking for new restaurants! His style of football is most suited to Arsenal's squad, above the other potential destinations.

He's currently 8/1 at the bookmakers for this, so it may be worth getting on it now!