Pep Guardiola has privately confirmed to friends that he would like to manage England in the future, marking a major U-turn after initially turning down the role in 2024. The Spaniard stepped down from Manchester City this summer following a glittering decade at the Etihad, where he claimed 20 major honours, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Guardiola's Change of Heart
According to the Mail, Guardiola informed those close to him that he dreams of taking charge of the Three Lions one day. While he is "prone to changing his mind," the 55-year-old may see England's World Cup exit as an open door to the position. Thomas Tuchel's decision-making during the semi-final defeat to Argentina has been heavily criticised, with many calling for his departure just months after signing a two-year extension with the Football Association.
Guardiola had verbally agreed to take charge of England in 2024 following talks with FA chiefs, but drastically changed his mind at the last moment and opted to stay at Manchester City for another two seasons, as reported by The Athletic.
Tuchel Under Pressure
Tuchel's England side lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, sparking backlash from fans and pundits. It is understood that a break clause in Tuchel's contract would have allowed both parties to end the agreement if England exited before the quarter-final stage. With the final four defeat, any severance package would likely be tough to negotiate.
Despite the Guardiola links, Tuchel seems adamant he will continue as England boss, with a deal that runs until the end of Euro 2028. Speaking post-match, the former Chelsea manager 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."
Guardiola's Future Plans
Following his Premier League exit, Guardiola admitted he plans to take a break from football. He stated: "Rest. No plans to train for a while. 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."
Potential Appointment
Given Guardiola's penchant for performing U-turns in the past, it is not impossible that he could consider a move into a national team position. However, the FA may face a difficult situation if they plan to oust Tuchel, as the German manager remains keen to stay in charge. The FA has not publicly commented on the speculation.
