Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola 'in talks' with AC Milan

Pep Guardiola: Victory tonight will give the departing coach his 14th trophy since 2008 (Reuters)

Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly in talks with AC Milan about replacing current manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Spaniard quit Barcelona at the end of last season citing a need for a break from football after an incredible four years at the Nou Camp which brought three La Liga titles and two European Cups.

Since his departure the 41-year-old has been linked with a host of positions, including at Chelsea before Roberto Di Matteo was handed the reigns at Stamford Bridge on a full-time basis.

The latest rumours link Guardiola with AC Milan, who have made a dreadful start to their Serie A campaign in Italy. They currently sit 11th in the table with just seven points from as many games. That has led to speculation that Allegri will be sacked by the notoriously ruthless hierarchy at the seven-time European Cup winners. His preferred replacement is Guardiola.

Reports in Italy claim Guardiola has been offered a four-year contract worth around £25m to take over at the San Siro. There are also suggestions that he could be assisted by the Milan legend Paolo Maldini.

Guardiola's former mentor at Italian side Brescia, Carlo Mazzone, has been quoted as saying a move to Italy for the former Barcelona manager is likely.

“I would be very happy if Pep returned to Italy. Where could he go? Milan or Inter, there isn’t exactly a vast choice. He has had his time in Spain and I think he could come here, though I don’t know whether it’ll be in a day, a year or five years," he told MilanNews.it.

Although Mazzone cautioned about a swift return to football, with the understanding Guardiola would prefer a return for the 2013-14 season.

"A problem Guardiola might have with Milan would be the requests for players. In any case, from what I’ve read he will stay out of football for a year and let us not forget he has other commitments in his life, like being a father with a young family."

Guardiola's record at Barcelona puts him in a commanding position when deciding with which club to return to football. The recent sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva point to an outfit lacking in ambition, which could prove a stumbling block to joining up with the Rossoneri.