Real Madrid tried to hire Pep Guardiola last year, as they contemplated sacking Rafa Benitez.
Guardiola established a stranglehold in Spain while he was coach of Madrid’s bitter rivals, Barcelona.
When it became obvious that the 45-year-old was set to quit Bayern Munich, a scramble for his signature began. It has now emerged that apart from the Premier League teams, Madrid was also keen on Guardiola.
This was revealed by the Spaniard’s friend and biographer, Marti Perarnau.
“Real Madrid called Pep Guardiola to try and tempt him last November, before they sacked Benitez,” he revealed on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
“Madrid contacted [Josep Maria] Orobitg, Guardiola’s agent, in order to try and contract him.
“But from the start it was out of the question. I was there.”
Madrid eventually sacked Benitez in January 2016 and appointed Zinedine Zidane as their new manager . The Frenchman has since matched Guardiola, in winning the Champions League in his first season in charge .
Guardiola went on to sign a three-year deal with Manchester City .
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