Josep Guardiola has left Manchester City and is rumored to be linked with a move to England following Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup failures.
Manager Pep Guardiola may reconsider returning to management (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has told friends he wants to become England manager in the future, after initially turning down the job in 2024. Guardiola, 55, resigned from Manchester City this summer after a glittering 10 years in charge.
At the Etihad, Guardiola won 20 major honours, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League title. His future in football remains uncertain, with the Mail claiming the tactician will not be returning to club management any time soon.
However, Guardiola has told those close to him that he dreams of one day managing the Three Lions. Although he is “changeable”, he may think England’s World Cup defeat opens the door to the position.
Tuchel’s decision to lose to Argentina in the semi-finals has been criticized by many, with some calling for him to leave the club just months after signing a two-year extension with the free agency. As a result, Guardiola’s name has been floated to lead his country again, two years after he ignored the Three Lions.
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The former City manager has verbally agreed to become England manager in 2024 after meeting with FA leaders. However, The Athletic reported that he changed his mind at the last minute and opted to remain at the Etihad for a further two seasons.
After leaving the Premier League, Guardiola admitted he intended to take a break from football. He said, “Please rest. I don’t plan on training for a while.
“Otherwise, I would be here. I have to step back. I won’t train for a while. When I said it would be my last season, many people said they would come back in three months. I don’t think so. It will take some time, but I have to prove to myself (that I need the rest).”
Guardiola is attracting attention as a potential successor to Tuchel (Image: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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He added: “It’s not 10 years. Apart from half a year in New York, it’s been 17 or 18 years where people have been going for the Treble or the Premier League every three days, so I need to take a little breather and relax. I’m going to be out for a while.”
“I’m really satisfied, happy and proud. This has been my life’s experience in the City. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to spend 10 years. I can’t be more grateful for so much love and affection.”
Given Guardiola’s tendency to make U-turns in the past, it is not impossible that he could potentially consider a move to the national team. However, the FA appear to be in a tough position if they intend to kick Tuchel out of the England squad.
Tuchel is keen to remain as England manager (Image: Carmen Mandato – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
It is understood that the Germany international’s contract had a break clause that would allow both parties to terminate the contract if England withdraw from the World Cup before the quarter-final stage. Since they lost to Argentina in the final four, it is likely that it will be difficult to come up with any kind of retirement plan.
Despite his links with Guardiola, Tuchel is adamant he will continue to manage England, with his contract running until the end of Euro 2028. In his post-match press conference, the former Chelsea manager explained: “We will continue our contract until the Euros at home.
“It’s hard to think that far ahead right now, but I’m looking forward to it.”
