Pep reveals he wanted Toon move

PEP Guardiola has revealed he once pleaded with Sir Bobby Robson, above, to sign him for Newcastle United.

The Manchester City boss and Barcelona legend was a player during the former England manager’s stint at the Nou Camp.

Now, as excitement builds for the release of a film celebrating the life of the iconic Toon boss, Guardiola has spoken of his bid to join the Magpies back in the late 1990s.

Guardiola said: “I am going to explain something secret.

“After the purge in Barcelona, he went to Newcastle and I sent him a letter to offer me the chance to go to him and play at Newcastle.

“One of my dreams would have been to have played in England.”

Guardiola is one of the speakers in the eagerly-awaited film and has spoken of his admiration for Robson’s managerial style.

He added: “It is not easy to manage Barcelona, especially in that period.

“I learned, when I saw him, how lonely the manager feels.

“In the bad moments, how always he had a typical smile.

“In my case, in that situation, it would have been impossible to react how he did. I know, for him, it was a tough period.

“I learned a lot because, in that period, I thought, I want to become a manager.” ■■Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager coming to select theatres on June 1.