According to the “Independent” newspaper, the English Football Association is making Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola their top choice to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.
The FA is looking for a coach who is familiar with English football culture and the surrounding atmosphere, and who also possesses exceptional tactical skills. Guardiola, the most successful Premier League manager of the past decade, fits the bill perfectly.
The Spanish coach’s contract with Manchester City runs until the end of next season, and it is impossible for Guardiola to leave his club at this point in time, no matter what the England national team offers.
Things are moving within the FA towards appointing an interim manager for the national team until the end of the season, and then signing Guardiola, especially as the general feeling is that the “philosopher” will not renew his contract with City.
What reinforces this idea is the lack of major international commitments until the summer of 2025, with England only playing in the UEFA Nations League in September and November, followed by the World Cup qualifiers in March.
It is worth noting that Guardiola’s position on coaching England is still unknown, although the coach has previously indicated that his next experience after City will most likely be coaching a national team.
