Uli Hoeness reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson almost took Pep Guardiola to Manchester United

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed to German newspaper Bild that while in New York late last year to convince Pep Guardiola to take the Bayern Munich job, he almost got found out by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Guardiola, who took F.C Barcelona to a staggering 14 trophies in 4 seasons, was taking a one year sabbatical from football in New York when Hoeness decided to secretly reach out to him in the USA. Hoeness has revealed that what started as a business trip for the family’s business transformed into a fruitful meeting with Guardiola. Hoeness says the meeting in New York was probably what sealed one of the more surprising coups in recent footballing memory.

Guardiola was courted by a number of English clubs too with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea & Manchester City all believed to have been after the former Barcelona midfielder’s signature. Hoeness, who met Guardiola in New York as Pep was about to fly out to Spain soon, has now revealed that his meeting was almost accidentally discovered by the then Manchester United boss.

“It was partly a business trip for my company,” said Hoeness, who runs his family’s sausage factory.

“I went to Chicago first to visit Aldi (global Supermarket chain). I knew that Pep was about to fly to Barcelona for his holidays and that a meeting there would have been far more dangerous, so we decided I would meet him in the States, where the risk of being spotted was smaller.

“I wanted to take him out for a meal, but that night, Alex Ferguson was dining in the very same restaurant.

“It certainly would not have been funny had he seen me and Pep together.” added the Bayern chief.

In January 2013, Guardiola went on to sign a lucrative 3-year deal for the current European champions.