Pep Guardiola ‘agreed’ to develop into England boss as Thomas Tuchel exit clause emerges
Pep Guardiola reportedly agreed to take the England job in 2024 before the Three Lions hired Thomas Tuchel as boss following Gareth Southgate’s exit
Pep Guardiola ‘agreed’ to become England manager in 2024(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel is under pressure following England’s World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina, but he almost wasn’t given the job in the first place.
That’s because Pep Guardiola had reportedly verbally agreed to take the England job in 2024 only to execute a dramatic U-turn and remain at Manchester City. Tuchel finds himself under enormous pressure following the nation’s World Cup elimination at the hands of Argentina and links are already appearing again that Guardiola could replace him.
The German’s second-half approach in Atlanta has come under widespread scrutiny, with numerous critics arguing that the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief should be dismissed just months after signing fresh terms with the FA until the end of the home Euro 2028 campaign.
Thomas Tuchel is under pressure after England’s frustrating World Cup exit(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/Shutterstock)
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Among the candidates being mentioned as Tuchel’s possible successor is ex-Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. And it has now emerged just how near he came to securing the position previously.
The former Barcelona tactician had given his word to accept the role back in 2024 after discussions with FA officials, only to have second thoughts and opt to remain at the Etihad Stadium for another two campaigns, according to The Athletic.
Guardiola is now available, having departed City following a spectacular decade in charge, though he has already confirmed his intention to step away from the game temporarily. Speaking after his City departure was announced, he said: “Rest. No plans to train for a while.
Thomas Tuchel’s tactics against Argentina have been heavily criticised(Image: (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images))
“Otherwise I would be here. I need to step back, I will not train for a while. Many people when I said it will be my last season said after three months you will come back. I don’t think so, I will take a while, but I have to prove to myself [that I need a rest].”
He added: “It’s not 10 years – except half a year in New York, it has been 17 or 18 years every three days with people demanding trebles and Premier Leagues and I need to breathe a little bit and relax. I will be out for a while.
“I feel really satisfied, happy and proud. It has been the experience of my life at City, otherwise I would not have been 10 years. I cannot be more grateful for the amount of love and affection.”
Even if Guardiola had shown interest in the position this time around, the FA have painted themselves into a corner regarding Tuchel. It appears that a clause included in his contract has made a switch highly improbable.
It is understood that there was an exit clause in his agreement that would have permitted both sides to terminate their arrangement should England bow out before the World Cup quarter-finals. With the Three Lions having progressed further, any compensation package would likely need to be negotiated.
Nevertheless, Tuchel appears eager to remain in the position. Speaking following the Argentina loss, he said: “We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros. I’m looking forward to that even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead.”
