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Pep Guardiola has revealed how it was his dream to follow Sir Bobby Robson to Newcastle.

The Manchester City manager played under Robson at Barcelona for one season in 1996.

And when the former England boss took over at St James’ Park, Guardiola asked if there was room for him in his midfield.

The Catalan’s revelation comes on the documentary ‘Bobby Robson – More Than A Manager.’

Guardiola says: “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.

“He answered me and said it was not possible because he had a lot of ­quality and he was right, but even in that tough moment, he was always so kind.

“He wrote a simple letter and it was like it meant so much more.

“Bobby is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life.”

Guardiola, who cites Johan Cruyff as one of his heroes, admits Robson inspired him to become a manager.

Robson won three trophies in one season at Barca before being moved upstairs when Louis van Gaal took over at the Nou Camp.

“It is not easy to manage Barcelona, especially in that period,” said Guardiola. “I learned, when I saw him, how lonely the manager feels and, in the bad moments, always he had a typical smile.

“In my case, in that situation it would have been impossible to react how he did.

“For him it was a tough period and I learned a lot because, in that period I thought ‘I want to become a manager.’

“How he handled that situation was incredible and I admired him a lot.

“It doesn’t matter what the media says - always try to be calm.”