Guardiola Sparks Excitement for England Role

Pep Guardiola has got England fans buzzing after addressing those cheeky rumors linking him to the national team’s managerial role.

October 14, 2024
12:08 pm

The Manchester City boss, who’s bagged the Premier League six times and is hailed as one of the best in the game, is out of contract next summer. His recent comments about his future have sparked hope that he could be the one to lead the Three Lions into a fresh era.

When asked if he’d leave City at the end of the season, Guardiola said: “Anything is possible.” This has ramped up speculation that the FA might try to snag the Spaniard once his City contract runs out. He added: “(Leaving City?) That’s not true, in the sense that I have to think about it. (England?) No, that’s not true. If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.”

Guardiola’s comments come as the FA feels the heat to make a big-name appointment to replace interim manager Lee Carsley. Carsley, who’s been at the helm for recent UEFA Nations League matches, hasn’t committed to the permanent role and recently gave another vague answer about his future. He admitted that while he’ll keep giving his all in the short term, the job “deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies.”

With Carsley unsure, all eyes are on Guardiola, who would be the marquee name for the FA if they want a manager of global stature. Big names in football have also thrown their support behind Guardiola for the England job, adding to the belief that he could be the perfect fit. Manchester United legend Roy Keane was the latest to back him, saying: “Go for Pep. Go for the best. His contract is up in the summer. The FA have to get busy and find the right man, and Pep is the right man.”

Guardiola has also won over former England stars. Wayne Rooney, who captained England for years, said: “I’d like Pep, to be honest. I think England have to strive for the best managers, and Pep would be great; the way he gets his teams playing.”

Rooney’s thoughts were echoed by Paul Scholes, who praised Guardiola’s tactical brilliance and the potential impact he could have on England’s young squad. Scholes said: “Somebody like Pep, with this group of players, I think he would get them over the line. I don’t know if it’s possible, but he would be the ideal man to take this team forward.”

The England managerial role is always under the microscope, and with the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on the horizon, the FA knows they need a top-tier manager to lead a talented squad featuring players like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden. Guardiola’s style, which focuses on possession, creativity, and relentless pressing, fits perfectly with the current strengths of the England team, making him a tempting option.

Despite the growing support for Guardiola, the FA is also looking at other candidates, including former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and rising English stars like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe. However, Guardiola is undoubtedly the top target, as the FA dreams of replicating his City success with the national team.

Meanwhile, Manchester City faces uncertainty as their director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is set to step down after the Club World Cup. With Guardiola’s close bond with Begiristain, his departure has led to even more speculation about whether the City boss might seek a new challenge at the end of the season.

The FA could still stick with Carsley, who has led England to mixed results in the UEFA Nations League. After a 2-1 loss to Greece at Wembley, Carsley’s England bounced back with a 3-1 win over Finland in Helsinki, keeping their promotion hopes alive. However, Carsley himself has acknowledged that the national team deserves a coach who has consistently won at the highest levels.

As the FA’s search for Southgate’s permanent replacement continues, fans are hoping Guardiola’s tantalizing “anything is possible” statement could lead to one of the game’s greatest minds at Wembley. With support from football legends and a fanbase eager for a major trophy, the dream of Pep Guardiola managing England may soon become a reality.