PEP THE LION
Guardiola: Southgate is doing an incredible job with England... but I’d LOVE to boss a team at World Cup!
PEP GUARDIOLA has dropped a tantalising hint that he could one day become England manager.
The Manchester City boss admitted he wants a crack at winning the World Cup, after he’s taken care of his unfinished business at the Etihad.
Guardiola’s contract with the champions expires in 2023 – and when he leaves City, he will take a break from the game, before looking for a job at international level.
With Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate hoping to move back into club management when his new contract ends after Euro 2024, the timing for the FA could be perfect.
Guardiola said: “Gareth Southgate is doing an incredible job and has just signed a new contract, so congratulations.
“I don’t think about it, but when
I do finish training here, it would be a pleasure to live a World Cup or European Championship.
“I would like that. But normally it is not easy because there are so few positions. I would like it to happen, but if it doesn’t I will train a club. So no problem.
“Gareth is doing so well. Reaching the semi-finals of the last World Cup is a huge success for English football. I don’t know how many years he has on his contract, but if he is happy and he wants more…
“I’m not here to take a position from him. As long as my energy and love for what I am doing is here, then I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Guardiola has won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and four consecutive Carabao Cups in his first five seasons at City. And his impact on English football has been so profound that it would be unthinkable for the FA not
to approach him should he become available.
Guardiola is adamant that he will never manage another Premier League club – and revealed that he might even come back for a second spell at the Etihad.
He added: “Years ago, I never thought I would be the Manchester City trainer and that I would be here for six seasons. Never.
“So life dictates your future. But in England, always I will be Man City – and if they ever want me back I will come back to them.
“I don’t think I will train another club in England.”
City face West Ham at the Etihad today – and Guardiola believes the Hammers are genuine contenders to finish in the top four this season.
He insists that the Premier League remains the acid test of his City side – despite his desire to win the Champions League with them.
Guardiola, who is planning to take his squad to Abu Dhabi for warm-weather training in January, said: “It’s a fact that West Ham are really good.
“They have had an incredible season – and the previous season as well. It’s not a secret.
“As long as Man City are there, it doesn’t matter to me who else is there in the Champions League.
“At the end, the four teams who qualify for the Champions League deserve it.
“The FA Cup,
Carabao Cup, Champions
League... you can have one good or bad day.
“But in the Premier League, only the winner fully deserves to win it and the first four teams who qualify fully deserve to qualify.
“You play every game, deal with injuries, go through good moments, bad moments, good weather, bad weather, refereeing decisions...”