Manager Josep Guardiola has reportedly ‘told a friend’ that he has ambitions to become England manager, days after it was confirmed that he would be leaving Manchester City. The legendary manager ends a 10-year spell in Manchester, winning 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
According to The Sun, the Daily Mail have suggested that the outgoing City manager will not be returning to club management anytime soon, pointing out that Guardiola’s daughter’s recent Instagram post was an announcement of his retirement, rather than just a farewell to Manchester.
Guardiola has reportedly told those close to him that he would like to manage the Three Lions one day, and although the former Barcelona and Man City manager is “prone to changing his mind quickly”, he has no intention of pursuing a new position in domestic football. It has previously been suggested that Guardiola wants to conquer everything possible at club level and lead his country to World Cup success.
Still, given current manager Thomas Tuchel signed a contract extension ahead of this summer’s World Cup, the outgoing City manager may have to wait if he wants to take over the reins of England in a major competition. The German head coach will be in charge of England in his first major tournament this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Tuchel’s contract was due to expire after the tournament, but the FA has agreed new terms with the former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea manager to extend his term until the summer of 2028. The Three Lions are preparing to depart for the United States, where they will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages of the competition.
As for City, Guardiola’s successor has yet to be announced, but former assistant Enzo Maresca remains the frontrunner to take charge at the Etihad Stadium. When asked about his successor, Guardiola said: “If the club tells me who he is, of course I will call him.” “I will tell him: ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally.’
“That’s the biggest compliment, or the biggest blessing, that all the managers here have had. You’ll be protected in the bad moments more than at any other club. Be yourself, be free, follow your ideas. Work a lot and everything will work out.”
