Two of the biggest names in the world of football will be special guests at December’s Dubai International Sports Conference.

Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as the best manager currently working in Europe, will be joined by French midfielder Franck Ribery, who’s form for Bayern Munich has seen him shortlisted for the ‘world player of the year’ award.

The pair will be in the Middle East on December 28 and 29 for the conference, and will appear alongside legendary Brazilian Ronaldo and former England manager Fabio Capello, as well three other as yet unnamed stars from the sport.

Mohammed Al Kamali, Head of the Organising Committee, said: “This session will be a unique one in the history of football anywhere in the world wherein a top coach will supervise a discussion involving four other top coaches from across the world.”

Guardiola was the man who led Spanish team Barcelona to four years of near total dominance in Spain and Europe, winning the domestic title three times, and Champions League twice between 2008 and 2012. The former Spain international, who earned 45 caps during his playing days, took a year out of the game before resurfacing at Bayern last summer.

During his career, the 42-year-old had spells in his homeland, Italy, Mexico and even Qatar when he spent two years at Al-Ahli from 2003.

Al Kamali added: “At the Dubai Sports Council it is always our endeavour to bring the best to Dubai so that we can sustain our name as the sporting capital of the Middle East.

“It is events like these that can help set the tone of professionalism in the UAE and the region.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, UEFA chief Michel Platini and legendary Argentine Diego Maradona, an ambassador for the Dubai Sports Council, were part of the panel in 2012.

Meanwhile, Capello brings his new team Russia to Dubai this weekend, to play Serbia in a friendly.

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