Pep Guardiola speaks, says England’s in his future, doesn’t use the word ‘next’

The Philosopher is spending some of his sabbatical time in England attending a coaching seminar at St. George’s Park, a visit that gives former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola ample time to tease flounder too farsighted to see the hook. Had they learned their lessons they’d know this is the same morsel they’ve been teased with since Guardiola’s first coaching successes.

The 41-year-old has always spoke highly of the prospect of coaching in England. Some have even called him a bit of an Anglophile. News of him reinforcing those feelings while in England and speaking to English press isn’t worth the imaginary ink with which it’s printed.

MORE: Guardiola to return with Bayern Munich

Here’s a good rule of thumb, one I used to enforce on staff while running sites: When considering whether a story is news, think about the exact opposite report. If that story would be bigger news, then you probably don’t have anything worth writing up. (Of course, the contradiction here is that I’m writing about this).

Alas, here is what Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s life partner had to say yesterday:

“As a player, I couldn’t realise my dream to play there [in England]. But I hope in the future I have a challenge to be a coach or a manager there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there. It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players and everything.

Oh my God! He’s totally going to Chelsea!

Maybe. In reality, there really isn’t much here. Even if we didn’t already know Guardiola’s Anglophilic leanings, this would read as a polite man speaking well of his hosts but with the biases of somebody trying to avoid offense. That we know these comments reflect his actual feelings makes them more than lip service. But it doesn’t make them news.

And he never uses the word ‘next’ (in fact, as I edit this, news out of German threatens to make all of this irrelevant). He doesn’t say ‘England will be my next stop’ or ‘I hope to come here next.’ He just says he likes the place. Calm down.

So consider this more commentary on media than an update on Guardiola, which means I still have work to do. Later today, we’ll circle back and talk about where the two-time Champions League-winning coach is likely to land this summer.