Pep Guardiola was approached for perfect return to football after Man City exit

Pep Guardiola was approached for a perfect swift return to management after his emotional departure from Manchester City, it has been revealed.

Guardiola's exit from City was announced in May and he ended his trophy-laden stint at the Etihad Stadium after a decade.

The Catalan signed off with Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs but admitted he no longer had the energy to continue in the role.

He was replaced by Enzo Maresca, who had two stints working with City and was on Guardiola's coaching staff.

Guardiola held talks with the Italian FA about becoming their new national coach but nothing materialised - with former City boss Roberto Mancini returning to the post.

However, on Tuesday it was confirmed that Guardiola was the go-to candidate to become the new Netherlands boss according to Nigel de Jong, another player with connections to City.

De Jong, the technical director of KNVB, dropped the bombshell in a press conference where Xavi Hernandez was unveiled as the new Dutch manager.

De Jong also added that compatriot Arne Slot was the second choice before Xavi but he too had other priorities.

Speaking in the presser, De Jong said: "Our first candidate to replace Ronald Koeman was Pep Guardiola, but he wanted to take a year off.

"Our second candidate was Arne Slot, but he preferred to stay active in club football.

"Then we moved on to the third candidate, the man next to me, Xavi Hernandez."

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Guardiola has a strong connection with the Netherlands as he is a disciple of the late and great Johan Cruyff, adopting the same football philosophy after playing under him at Barcelona.

Xavi Hernandez speaks on Johan Cruyff chats as he takes Netherlands job

That same 'total football' approach has been passed on to Xavi, who learned from Guardiola while playing under him at Barcelona before going on to manage the Blaugrana.

"I have many connections with this country," Xavi explained.

"The feeling that I have, is that I am going to the university of football. I want my team to always have the ball, but with passion."

"We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy, and we are here to win. I insist: we are here to win. I want to create a big family here."

Xavi also spoke about the influence Cruyff, a legend of football, had on his career and coaching style.

He added: "What did I learn from Johan Cruyff? Well, in the last stages of his life I talked with him a lot, even when he was sick. And he was always very positive, also when he was sick."

"I learned from that. Always smiling, positive vibes. This is what I am going to show my players. Let's enjoy the process, and then we will be closer to him [Cruyff]."

Xavi as signed a four-year contract to replace Koeman, who he also succeeded at Barcelona.

The 46-year-old becomes the first non-Dutch coach of the national team since 1978 and his first game in charge is a big one as he goes head-to-head with a Germany side managed by a returning Jurgen Klopp.

The Nations League clash takes place on 24 September at the Johan Cruyff Arena.