In a stunning revelation that could have rewritten modern football history, Pep Guardiola has confessed he came within touching distance of becoming Borussia Dortmund manager before his celebrated moves to Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
The Sliding Doors Moment
The Manchester City supremo dropped the bombshell during a press conference ahead of his team's Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid. "Before going to Bayern Munich, I was one or two steps away from taking over at Borussia Dortmund," Guardiola revealed, sending shockwaves through the football world.
This admission uncovers what might have been one of the most significant 'what if' scenarios in recent football memory. Imagine Guardiola's revolutionary tactics being implemented at Dortmund rather than their arch-rivals Bayern Munich.
Timing is Everything
The Catalan manager explained the crucial timing of this near-move, stating it occurred during the period after his sabbatical from Barcelona and before his eventual appointment at Bayern in 2013. "I was close, really close," he emphasised, suggesting the deal nearly reached completion.
This revelation adds fascinating context to Guardiola's career trajectory. Instead of joining Dortmund, he chose Bayern Munich where he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles between 2013 and 2016 before embarking on his transformative journey with Manchester City.
Changing European Football's Landscape
Had Guardiola taken the Dortmund job, the implications for European football would have been profound:
- Bundesliga dynamics: Guardiola would have been managing against Bayern rather than for them
- Tactical evolution: Dortmund's pressing game combined with Guardiola's possession philosophy
- Player development: How would young talents like Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan developed under his guidance?
- Premier League impact: Would his eventual move to England still have occurred?
Guardiola's Dortmund Connection
The City manager has never hidden his admiration for Dortmund, describing them as "one of my favourite clubs" and praising their "incredible stadium and amazing fans." This affection makes the near-move even more understandable and adds emotional weight to his revelation.
Guardiola's confession came as he prepares his Manchester City side for another Champions League campaign, the competition where he has faced Dortmund multiple times throughout his career with both Bayern and City.
This glimpse into football's alternative history serves as a powerful reminder of how fine margins and personal decisions can shape the beautiful game for years to come. The thought of Guardiola in yellow and black rather than Bayern red or City blue remains one of modern football's most tantalising near-misses.
