GUARDIOLA TIPPED TO REPLACE WENGER AT ARSENAL

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 | No Comments

Pep Guardiola has been given thumbs up to take over the reins at Arsenal when Arsene Wenger calls it a day in the Emirates.

The 41-year-old is currently on a sabbatical from the beautiful game, having left the Catalan powerhouse at the end of last season.

With his football break set to last just 12 months, Guardiola has hitherto been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

The future of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager may not be up for debate just yet given the fact the Gunners want to extend the Frenchman's contract beyond 2014, but Guardiola has often featured prominently as potential successor.

The Frenchman has endured a difficult time in north London over the past seven seasons, with the Gunners failing to win any silverware and having sold a number of their star players.

Marquez now plying his trade with the New York Red Bulls believes the 41-year old is the ideal candidate to replace Wenger when his time at Arsenal comes to an end.

"I didn't yet have the chance to meet Pep in New York. We've been in touch before, to help him move here," Marquez, who played for two years under Guardiola at Barcelona, told Cadena SER.

"He will soon return to the game. I think he'll go to England. He'd be perfect for Arsenal."

Unsurprisingly, Guardiola’s success at Barcelona has seen him being linked to a host of elite top clubs across Europe.

He is also reported to be in the shortlist by Manchester United alongside his nemesis Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.