Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is welcome to join his side. Guardiola’s comments come after the former Birmingham City manager recently expressed his desire to work alongside the Portuguese tactican.
Guardiola’s tenure as the Manchester City manager has been nothing short of phenomenal and his side’s achievements in the 2022-23 season only added to his already decorated career. Guardiola, having already coached big names in the game such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Frank Ribery, and most recently, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, remains a sought-after figure for many players who aspire to play under his guidance.
Apart from the players, the City manager has even shared the coaching stage with current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has been impressive in the last two Premier League seasons with his side.
In the recent release of the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney heaped praise on Guardiola as the former Manchester United forward expressed his admiration for the City manager’s coaching style.
“It depends (on whether I’d ever be an assistant) – if Pep Guardiola comes in and asks me to be his assistant, you’d walk there… For me, the best manager is Pep and you look at how he adapts – how they (City) are playing now is not the same as how they were playing four years ago,” Rooney said.
Responding to Rooney’s comments, Guardiola surprised quite a few, inviting the United great to join the backroom staff at the Etihad.
“He can come anytime, more than welcome. For all of City of course it’s important but he’s Red Devil so he is a United fan. So of course it’s nice for all of us, Wayne Rooney has been one of the greatest in this country of all time,” Guardiola said in a press-conference.
Guardiola went on to praise Rooney’s Premier League career and explained the value of his experience in England.
“He knows, he was there, he was in United. He won a lot of Premier Leagues so that means how difficult it is to be in there and that means he knows how difficult it is” Guardiola added.
Given Rooney’s reputation as one of the most successful Red Devils of all time, the discussions surrounding him have sparked considerable buzz amongst fans of both sides across social media.
However, Rooney’s career as a manager dials down his chances of landing the City role. The former striker is currently without a job after being sacked from Championship side Birmingham City, with no reports of his new destination so far.
