Real Madrid failed in their attempts to replace Rafa Benitez with Pep Guardiola in January last year, according to the author of Guardiola’s new book, Marti Perarnau.
Guardiola, 45, spent four years tormenting Madrid as Barcelona manager before taking a year’s sabbatical in 2012, but could have sensationally become their manager it has now been revealed.
With Rafa Benitez on the ropes almost as soon as he was made Madrid manager at the start of last season, Madrid reportedly approached Guardiola to replace his fellow Spaniard in November, while he was still at Bayern Munich.
“Real Madrid called Pep Guardiola to try and tempt him last November, before they sacked Benitez,” Perarnau told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, via The Daily Mail.
“Madrid contacted [Josep Maria] Orobitg, Guardiola’s agent, in order to try and contact him. But from the start it was out of the question. I was there.”
The Spanish giants did end up sacking Benitez in January before appointing Zinedine Zidane as manager. The former Madrid star then led Los Blancos on to Champions League glory for the second time in three years.
Guardiola saw out the final year of his contract at Bayern before becoming Manchester City manager in the summer, although it hasn’t gone to plan despite winning his opening 10 matches. In fact, Guardiola is currently six games without a win for the first time in his managerial career.
For more stats on Real Madrid, click here to visit their WhoScored team page
