Where will Pep Guardiola go when he leaves Man City in 2023?
Guardiola is yet to try his hand in Italy or France, and should he fancy a fresh challenge the bookies believe he could be drawn to Juventus at 9/4 or Paris St Germain at 10/1.
Pep Guardiola may claim his next managerial job will be in the international game, but the bookmakers believe he could be persuaded to delay his national team ambitions when he does depart Manchester City.
Having enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola has picked up a host of trophies since arriving in Manchester in 2016. He has led City to three Premier League titles, and FA Cup success and four consecutive EFL Cup Final victories.
The UEFA Champions League has so far eluded him, but City got a step closer to making that European breakthrough last season when they made it to the final, only to lose to domestic rivals Chelsea.
They are leading contenders to go all the way this time around, but time is running out for Guardiola after he reportedly admitted he plans on departing the Etihad Stadium when his contract ends in 2023.
“My next step will be a national team, if there is a possibility,” he said during an appearance at XP Investimentos event. “A national team is the next step.
While it is understandable that Guardiola has all of those aims, the bookmakers believe he could be persuaded to put them on hold if one of European football’s biggest clubs comes calling at the end of his City reign.
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According to the latest football tips, Barcelona are heavily tipped as the favourites to capture Guardiola with top bookmakers at 2/1. He won three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Super Cups, two Copa del Reys and three Spanish Super Cups during his previous reign, and it would be a shock if the Catalan giants did not make a play for him when he is a free agent once again.
Guardiola is yet to try his hand in Italy or France, and should he fancy a fresh challenge the bookies believe he could be drawn to Juventus at 9/4 or Paris St Germain at 10/1.
The most likely national team candidates are Spain at 6/1 and Brazil at 12/1. Coaching Brazil would give him a shot at the Copa America and a very realistic chance of adding at least one major piece of international silverware to his glittering CV before he calls time on his career.
But could Guardiola decide to remain in England beyond his time at City? The English national team have improved considerably under Gareth Southgate, reaching the World Cup Final in 2018 and Euro 2020 Final this past summer. But if Southgate does not bring World Cup glory next year could the FA make a play for Guardiola? The odds on the England national team being his next job are 25/1.
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
The Manc -
31st August 2021 
