Pep Guardiola has emerged as the top target for the FA as they search for a permanent manager for England, with the Manchester City boss now considering an approach from Three Lions chiefs
Pep Guardiola is considering renewing his contract at Manchester City after being approached to take over the England senior team.
The FA are currently searching for a long-term replacement for Gareth Southgate, with interim boss Lee Carsley heading back to the Under-21s. Guardiola has emerged as the top target for FA chiefs.
The Spaniard has led Manchester City to four successive Premier League titles and is one of the most influential coaches in football’s history. His contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire at the end of the season.
That situation has drawn the eye of England bosses, who have approached him over taking over the Three Lions once he leaves City. But it appears that Guardiola is keeping his options open.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Spaniard is considering signing a 12-month extension to his City contract. City would like him to sign for longer but would be delighted he if does committ to a further 12 months.
The last contract extension Guardiola signed was in November 2022, which took him up to 2025, but if he stays at City it is expected to be for a shorter-term. While remaining at City is very much an option, Guardiola is interested in taking charge of a national team.
Fortunately for any national association interested in making him their manager, Guardiola accepts he will earn less money than at the club level. There is currently no deadline for the Spaniard as he weighs up his options.
He could even end up taking a sabbatical if he leaves City in the summer, as he did when he quit Barcelona in 2012 and moved to New York. Guardiola will remain at the top of tthe FA’s list until he rules himself out of the running.
That is something he is yet to do though. When asked about his future on Sunday, Guardiola said on Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa: “Leaving City? It’s not true, I haven’t decided yet. 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 would appear to have the backing of current interim Carsley, who insisted the FA should hire a ‘world-class coach’. Carsley led the Three Lions to a win over Finland on Sunday but hinted he will not take the job permanently.
“I’ve not really thought much about it. I keep saying the same thing. My remit was six games and I’m happy with that. This is a privileged position. I’m really enjoying it but I didn’t enjoy the last two days. I’m not used to losing in an England team, I don’t take losing well,” he said.
“People are always going to try and put their chips on one side. I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”
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