England make Pep Guardiola first-choice option to succeed Gareth Southgate

Guardiola has said he would like to manage a national team.

The Football Association are set to explore their options after Gareth Southgate decided to step down as England manager following another major tournament defeat, this time in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.

A few days after the final, Southgate confirmed that he will now take a break from managing the Three Lions and will seek other challenges. With many possibilities available, the FA are set to assess their options. Currently, they want to appoint an interim manager, as they want to make Pep Guardiola the next head coach of England.

Guardiola’s Manchester City deal expires in 2025 and he will become a free agent. The FA feel the former Barcelona manager fits perfectly into the national team culture after he has spent eight years in England managing City.

Pep Guardiola is now one of the top candidates to become the next England manager. Earlier there was a feeling that it would be challenging to get him out of the City job.

However, now it can transpire given Guardiola has one year left on his current deal with the Premier League champions. There is confidence that the FA can make the Spanish manager their next coach.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has himself not shied away from questions regarding managing a national team in an interview. He claimed he would like to take charge of Brazil, speaking during the interview he said, “A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that,” he told ESPN Brazil. I don’t know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club.”

Guardiola hasn’t made any decision regarding his City future. He is likely to make one after the end of his contract, which is the main issue for the FA, as they want him to speed up his decision given the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers start in late March.

This means, England are likely to make the U-21 manager Lee Carsley as the interim manager until then and later they can hope that Guardiola decides to take over the Three Lions.

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