Pep Guardiola confirms English Premier League coaching desire

Pep Guardiola confirms his desire to manage in the Premier League.

Go ahead and narrow the list of future league options for Pep Guardiola down to one.

Guardiola confirmed at a Tuesday press conference that he wants to manage in the Premier League following the conclusion of his stint with Bayern Munich. Guardiola announced prior to the Bundesliga's winter break that he will be leaving Bayern at season's end, which is when his contract with the club is up. It will mark the end of a three-year run at Bayern, and he'll be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

His comments are of little surprise, as Guardiola has long been linked to Premier League clubs Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. City has been thought to be the front-runner despite having signed manager Manuel Pellegrini to a four-year extension this summer. Two of the club's top executives, Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, worked with Guardiola at Barcelona.

Louis van Gaal is under immense pressure after disappointing results at Manchester United, while Chelsea hired Guus Hiddink to replace the ousted Jose Mourinho in a caretaker role until the end of the season. Arsenal has also been reported at a potential destination for Guardiola, who turns 44 later this month.

• WILSON: What comes next for Guardiola?

Here are a selection of his comments:

Guardiola: "The reason I have not extended my contract is simple: I want to manage in the Premier League." #UCL pic.twitter.com/YKRRYzxlo2

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 5, 2016

#PepPressConference: "The only reason I am not renewing my contract is that I am looking for a new challenge." pic.twitter.com/C9Ho2MEvrI

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) January 5, 2016

#Pep: "I have several offers from England but I haven't signed anything yet."

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) January 5, 2016

#Pep: If I were 60 or 65 I would've stayed, but I think I am too young. I need a new challenge."

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) January 5, 2016

Bayern Munich returns to Bundesliga action on Jan. 22 at Hamburg.