How Manchester United lost out on Pep Guardiola as successor to Sir Alex Ferguson

PEP GUARDIOLA claims Manchester United missed out on him as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor because of the Scotsman’s ACCENT.

The pair dined together in New York back in 2012 when Red Devils legend Fergie was searching for his eventual replacement.

Ferguson has since admitted talking to the former all-conquering Barcelona coach about taking charge of United.

But Guardiola, now boss at noisy neighbours Manchester City, revealed: “I know he said that, but I don’t remember.

“When he spoke really fast, it was difficult to understand him.

“My English is not perfect now, but it’s a little bit better. But in that period, my English was not good and maybe I didn’t understand him.

“I don’t remember, when we were in a magnificent restaurant having dinner, that he suggested to me I should go to Old Trafford.

“But it was nice because he chose an amazing restaurant and, of course, he paid.”

Instead, Guardiola left the Catalan giants for Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles, one Fifa Club World Cup, a Uefa Super Cup and two German Cups during his glittering spell, before joining City.

United ended up with the disastrous appointment of David Moyes, before turning to Louis van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho.

The New York dinner came during Guardiola’s 12-month sabbatical from football following a four-year stint at Barca.

Guardiola took over from Dutchman Frank Rijkaard after being promoted from B team boss in the summer of 2008 and enjoyed an incredible instant success.

In his first season in the Nou Camp hotseat he won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey — the first Treble in the club’s history.

Guardiola went on to win a staggering 14 trophies in just 14 seasons — two European Cups, two Uefa Super Cups, two Club World Cups, three successive La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys and three Spanish Supercopas.

And when he was ready to return to football, German giants Bayern were the first to make contact.

Guardiola added: “In my mind, I was clear I wanted to live that amazing experience in Germany.

“Bayern were the first to call me, alongside Manchester City. But I decided to go to Germany, to learn German and after that, Manchester City.”

And Guardiola is adamant City were his ONLY choice once he decided to come to on England — due to his relationship with director of football Txiki Begiristain.

The duo had worked together at Barca, where Begiristain was director of football.

And Guardiola said: “From the moment Manchester City approached, I decided that if I was to go to the Premier League, I would go to them because I know Txiki.