Pep-talk – Bayern Munich rumoured to be heading the chase for Pep Guardiola

Following a seven-month sabbatical, former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has indicated that he’s ready to return to the management ranks.

The 41-year-old will certainly not be short of suitors. Indeed, Barca enjoyed a haul of 14 trophies during Guardiola’s four-season reign at the Nou Camp, and prior to his break from football he was linked with a number of top clubs in Europe.

Among those mooted as potential destinations at the time, included the traditional top four in recent seasons in the Premier League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

If Pep fancies a stint in the English top-flight, those clubs bar United – assuming Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t decide to call it a day at the end of the season – could all potentially be vying for his services ahead of the 2013/14 campaign.

Indeed, with mounting pressure on Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Rafa Benitez only contracted to Chelsea until the end of the season and Roberto Manchini skating on thin ice at Eastlands, there are plenty of ifs, buts and maybes to ponder.

However, as you would expect it’s not just English clubs courting Guardiola. Bayern Munich are reported to be heading the chase to secure his services, while AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that he’s already approached the Spaniard.

If the bookies are on the money, the Allianz Arena is the most likely destination; 888sport are a standout 6-4 about Guardiola taking over at Bayern Munich, but he’s as short as 4-9 in a place for the top job with the Bavarian outfit.

Guardiola is playing his cards close to his chest at present, simply stating during a recent interview: ‘I have taken a decision to return to coaching, but beyond that no decision has been taken. I don’t have a team to go to, but I would like to go back to coaching.’

With Jose Mourinho likely to depart Real Madrid at the end of the season and various other coaches rumoured to be jostling for positions, the managerial merry-go-round is poised to go into overdrive in the run-up to the summer.