Pep Guardiola has hinted that he may consider taking over the England men’s national team in the future, as his plans at Manchester City remain undecided. The Spaniard addressed the rumors during an interview on the Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa, following reports that linked him to the England job.
“Leaving City? It’s not true, I haven’t decided yet,” Guardiola stated, according to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, with The Guardian providing the translation. “And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it … I don’t know either, anything can happen.”
Guardiola’s contract with Manchester City is set to expire at the end of this season, fueling speculation about his next move. This speculation gained further traction when it was revealed that City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, who shares a strong professional bond with Guardiola, will leave his post next summer. Hugo Viana has been announced as Begiristain’s successor.
The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future comes as the Football Association is actively searching for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate as England’s head coach. Lee Carsley has been serving as the interim manager since August but has publicly stated that he has no intention of taking the position full-time. His role has come under scrutiny, especially after England’s recent loss to Greece and his controversial post-match remarks.
Historically, England has looked beyond its borders for coaching talent, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello both leading the national team. However, Guardiola, with a more impressive trophy collection and significant experience managing in England, is a unique candidate. The FA had previously targeted other elite managers such as Jose Mourinho in 2007 and Arsene Wenger in 2016, according to The Athletic’s Tim Spiers.
As of now, Guardiola remains focused on his current role at Manchester City, with his future decisions still uncertain.
