Pep Guardiola near Man City resolution after ‘two months’ contemplating England job
Manchester City believe Pep Guardiola is ‘closer to staying than leaving’ amid speculation he would still be interested in managing England despite recently turning down the FA.
That is according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. Guardiola was the hot favourite for the role in the days leading up to Thomas Tuchel’s appointment earlier this month. His long-term future at the Etihad remains uncertain with his contract expiring this summer.
Guardiola is believed to be considering another contract extension with the Premier League champions. However, he has not hidden his ambition to manage a national team in the future – and Balague, a close friend of the Spaniard, believes England would be his first choice when the time comes, reports the Mirror.
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Balague also disclosed that the FA had offered Guardiola the England job, which Gareth Southgate left in July. He is still undecided about his next step. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Balague revealed: “He actually was offered the job.
“He thought about it for two months. And after two months he said, ‘No because I don’t even know what I’m going to do at the end of this season.’ Manchester City right now feel he’s closer to staying than leaving but nobody really knows.”
Tuchel signed an 18-month contract after discussions with the FA and will lead England for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager was also linked with the Manchester United job before agreeing to become the Three Lions new head coach.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Balague also believes that come the 2030 World Cup cycle, Guardiola will be in charge of a national team side, suggesting that leading the England team could be his top choice.
He added: “What seems clear is that in the cycle from the next World Cup to the following one in 2030, Guardiola will have a national side and England are favourites. If Tuchel wins the World Cup, forget that plan!”
Guardiola played his cards close to his chest when quizzed about managing the Three Lions last week. He shrugged off the chatter in a press conference, stating: “Thomas Tuchel is the manager, so forget about it. I’m the manager of Manchester City, so the conversations I have are about Manchester City. This is what it is. Tuchel is the manager already, Thomas is that. This is the most important, the rest is not important.”
