Before retiring from his playing career, Pep Guardiola had a long chat with Paul Jewell who almost convinced the Barcelona legend to join Wigan. But it’s not the first time Guardiola was on the brink of a move to the Premier league.

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Guardiola stunned everyone in Spain when he allowed his contract to run down at the Camp Nou and left without seemingly having already signed for another club.

I have just learned that the current Barcelona coach did, in fact, think he had already sorted out his next employer: Guardiola had been in talks with Sir Alex Ferguson and believed he was going to sign for Manchester United – but the Scot suddenly changed his mind.

Guardiola still has an eye on the Premier League and, if he does not end up building a dynasty at the Camp Nou, a future with an English club is a strong possibility.

This  column first published in The Mirror appears in conjunction with www.icons.com