Pep Guardiola has reportedly ‘told friends’ that he harbours ambitions to become England manager, just days after his exit from Manchester City was confirmed. The legendary coach has brought the curtain down on a decade-long spell in Manchester, amassing 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
The Daily Mail as per The Sun suggest the departing City boss won’t be returning to club management in the immediate future, pointing to a recent Instagram post from Guardiola’s daughter as a retirement announcement, rather than simply a goodbye to Manchester.
The report claims Guardiola has informed close confidants that he wishes to lead the Three Lions one day, and while the former Barcelona and Man City manager is ‘prone to changing his mind hastily,’ he won’t be pursuing a new position in domestic football. It’s previously been suggested that Guardiola desires to guide a country to World Cup success, having conquered everything available at club level.
Nevertheless, the outgoing City boss may face a wait if he wishes to take the reins of England at a major tournament, given current manager Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The German head coach is scheduled to oversee England at his first major tournament this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Tuchel’s deal was due to expire following the tournament, but the FA agreed new terms with the former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea manager to prolong his tenure until the summer of 2028. The Three Lions are gearing up to fly out to the USA, where they will take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages of the competition.
As for City, they are yet to announce Guardiola’s replacement, though his former assistant Enzo Maresca remains the frontrunner to assume control at the Etihad Stadium. “When the club tell me who it is, of course I will call him,” said Guardiola when asked about his successor. “I will tell him, ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally’.
“That is the biggest compliment, or the biggest luck that all the managers who have been here have had. You will be protected in the bad moments more than any other club. Be yourself, be free, go with your ideas. Work a lot and everything will be fine.”