Competition for the signature of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has taken a further turn as Sir Alex Ferguson wants to see the history-making treble-winner appointed as his eventual replacement at Manchester United.

Guardiola, 38, despite becoming the youngest ever Champions League winning coach in May, could part company with Barcelona at the end of the season as his contract will have expired.

After claiming a La Liga title, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Supercopa Espana, UEFA Super Cup and, most recently, the FIFA Club World Cup, Guardiola has still attracted detractors who claim he has achieved this with the team he inherited from predecessor Frank Rijkaard.

Furthermore, Guardiola is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League as he admires the freedom that managers in England have over all team affairs. By contrast, Guardiola is restricted by a “technical secretariat”, Txiki Begiristain, and is undermined when it comes to transfer window acquisitions.

The decision to appoint directors of football in England is one still met with derision.

The Daily Mail opines that Guardiola could leave Barcelona as early as April to begin an apprenticeship under Sir Alex Ferguson, with a view to eventually replacing the trophy-magnet Scotsman at Old Trafford.

However, Barcelona supremo Joan Laporta is eager to tie Guardiola down to an extended deal, with a two-year contract allegedly to be offered to the coach – although much depends on the upcoming presidential elections, and who will succeed Laporta.