Pep Guardiola verbally agreed to take the England manager job in 2024, only to have a late change of heart and remain at Manchester City for two more seasons, according to The Athletic. The revelation comes as current England boss Thomas Tuchel faces mounting pressure after the Three Lions' World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, which many pundits and supporters blame on his defensive tactics.
Guardiola's Verbal Commitment and Reversal
Reports indicate that Guardiola committed to the role following discussions with Football Association (FA) executives in 2024, but he ultimately reversed his decision and opted to stay at the Etihad Stadium. The Spanish coach has now left City after a decade at the helm, winning multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League. However, he has made clear his intention to step away from football, stating: "Rest. No plans to train for a while. I need to step back, I will not train for a while."
Guardiola 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."
Tuchel Under Fire After Argentina Defeat
Thomas Tuchel is under immense pressure after England's 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina. Anthony Gordon had given the Three Lions the lead in the second half, but Tuchel's defensive approach was criticised for not seeing out the victory, which would have booked England's first World Cup final since 1966. Some pundits claim Guardiola's contrasting attacking tactics would have secured progression to face Spain.
Despite the criticism, Tuchel appears determined to remain. Speaking after the defeat, 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." Tuchel's contract runs until the end of the 2028 European Championships, having signed a fresh deal in February.
FA's Contractual Constraints
The FA may find it difficult to replace Tuchel due to a clause in his contract. A break clause would have allowed termination if England were eliminated before the World Cup quarter-finals, but since the team progressed further, any severance payment would likely need to be negotiated. This situation has painted the FA into a corner, making a change improbable even if Guardiola were interested.
Guardiola's future remains uncertain. He has expressed satisfaction with his City tenure, saying: "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."
