Pep Guardiola has reportedly told his close friends that he still harbours ambitions of managing the England national team, despite having walked away from a verbal agreement with the Football Association (FA) in 2024. The 55-year-old Catalan coach left Manchester City this summer after an extraordinary decade at the Etihad, during which he won 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Guardiola's Interest in the Three Lions
According to the Mail, Guardiola revealed to his inner circle that he would consider taking charge of England at some point, viewing the team's World Cup elimination as a potential opportunity. The Three Lions were knocked out in the semi-finals by Argentina, a defeat that sparked widespread criticism of manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics and squad selections. Many fans and pundits have called for Tuchel's sacking, just months after he signed a two-year contract extension with the FA.
Guardiola had previously been close to accepting the England job in 2024. The Athletic reported that he gave a verbal commitment to FA officials after extensive talks, only to reverse his decision at the last minute and remain at Manchester City for two more years. After stepping down from City, Guardiola stated he would take a break from football, saying: "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."
Tuchel's Position Under Scrutiny
Despite the mounting pressure, Tuchel has insisted he will keep his job and see out his contract, which runs through to Euro 2028. 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." However, reports suggest that a break clause existed in Tuchel's contract, which would have allowed either party to terminate the agreement if England were eliminated before the World Cup quarter-finals. Since England reached the semi-finals, the FA would now find it difficult to negotiate an exit with Tuchel.
Guardiola's tendency to change his mind has not gone unnoticed. He himself admitted after leaving City: "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."
What Next for England?
The FA now faces a dilemma. While Guardiola's interest could offer a high-profile replacement, his availability is uncertain given his stated need for a break. Meanwhile, Tuchel remains adamant he will lead England into the home European Championship in 2028. The situation leaves the FA in a difficult spot, balancing the desire for a world-class coach with the contractual and financial implications of changing managers mid-cycle.
Guardiola, for his part, has not publicly commented on the England speculation. But his reported comments to friends suggest that the door is not closed, and the possibility of him taking the reins at St George's Park cannot be entirely ruled out.
