Pep Guardiola will manage in the Premier League – Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes believes Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is destined to coach in the Premier League at some stage during the Spaniard’s career.

The 41-year-old has been touted as a possible long-term replacement for André Villas-Boas at Chelsea after he announced last week that he will step down as Barça boss on 30 June.

And Queens Park Rangers manager Hughes is confident Guardiola would effortlessly settle into life in the English top flight.

“I’d be very surprised if we don’t [see Guardiola in the Premier League],” said Hughes.

“He’s got knowledge of the top teams in the Premier League. He’s gone up against most of them.

“He understands the language so it wouldn’t be a problem to integrate and usually we get the top European managers over here.

“He’s done a fantastic job. He was an outstanding player and he’s carried that on as a coach.

“He’s created a team and had a philosophy of playing that will make its mark in football history.

“People forget it’s only been a four-year period and what he’s done in that time in terms of trophies accumulated is outstanding.

“I’m sure in a year’s time, when he puts his hand up for a job a lot of people will be looking over their shoulders.”

Guardiola cited tiredness as the main reason behind his decision to leave Barcelona and take a break from his managerial career.

But Hughes, who spent a season at Camp Nou as a player, joked that if Guardiola found overseeing Barcelona’s three La Liga titles and two Champions League successes stressful, then he should try a managerial stint at a relegation-threatened club.

“I don’t know about that [if four years is an "eternity" in football management],” said Hughes.

“Guardiola was winning every week, he should go to a club where he gets beaten every other week – it seems a lot longer I can assure you!

“I can understand the focus on a club such as Barcelona, obviously I experienced it myself.

“There’s huge demands on you as a manager or a player which I felt while I was there and it’s not easy to be under that spotlight.”

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