Pep Guardiola has apologised for increasing the pressure on Premier League bosses.
The Bayern Munich manager announced he will leave Bavaria at the end of this season in order to take a job in the English top flight.
Rumours have since circulated of a switch to Manchester City, although Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have also been touted as possible destinations for the former Barcelona boss.
“I am sorry,” Guardiola said. “Normally, in my career as a trainer, as a player, I respect a lot my colleagues, so I am sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”
Guardiola says he is yet to sign a contract at his new club, and will not discuss where he may end up until he has done so.
The Bayern boss is currently with his players on a winter training camp in Qatar, and has not talked about his move to England with his current squad.
“I will reveal my new club once I have actually signed a contract,” he added.
“I have not talked with the players about my imminent move to England. We are only talking about football. But they all already know anyway.”
Pep Guardiola edges closer to Manchester City
August 2012
Former Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano appointed Manchester City chief executive. He had champions Guardiola’s promotion to head coach
October 2012
Txiki Begiristain joined City in a similar capacity to the sporting director role he had at Barcelona. He helped Guardiola build his Barca side.
May 2013
Roberto Mancini sacked by City. Guardiola had already committed to Bayern Munich so Manuel Pellegrini was brought in
October 2013
Pep’s brother Pere and associate Jaime Roures open office for their Media Base Sports agency in Manchester. Roures is a former business partner of Soriano
December 2014
City open their new £200million training facility and academy. The aim is to produce homegrown quality like Barcelona’s La Maisa HQ
February 2015
Pere Guardiola and Roures buy an 80 per cent stake in Spanish second division club Girona, based just north of Barcelona
August 2015
Catalan club Girona become a feeder club for City
December 2015
Pellegrini told the Sunday Mirror that he believes Guardiola is the perfect fit for City and hopes he takes charge one day
December 2015
Senior Manchester United sources reveal they have no interest in taking Guardiola to Old Trafford because they feel his move to City is a done deal
December 2015
Guardiola confirmed that he will not be renewing his Bayern Munich contract and will be leaving at the end of the season
January 2016
Guardiola confirms that he has an ambition to manage a club in the Premier League
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