Amid growing speculation, the English Soccer Association is contemplating the prospect of Gareth Southgate’s departure from the England manager role following the European Championship in Germany next summer.
English FA authorities are adopting a proactive stance in the quest to identify Southgate’s successor. The current manager, who guided England to the final in the previous edition of the Euros in 2021, has generated uncertainty regarding his future with the national team.
Among the candidates discussed as a dream appointment by some within the FA is Pep Guardiola, an option that officials are willing to explore. Previously, the FA had compiled a list of potential replacements for Southgate, including names like Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino, in the event of his resignation after the 2022 World Cup.
– Gareth Southgate will quit as England-manager after the Euros in Germany. A potential replacement is Manchester City´s Pep Guardiola.
The City-manager´s contract with the blues runs out in 2025.
(Daily Mail)#CFC #LFC #MUFC #Football #Soccer #Futbol #NCFC #EFC #AFC #AVFC… pic.twitter.com/9Qp3oEzLqI
— 3-5-2 (@BygdaVSByen) September 4, 2023
However, Southgate continued in his role as England’s head coach. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to step away from the England job next year, considering that his contract is set to expire at the end of 2024.
While Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Brendan Rodgers remain viable options, FA officials are also keen on gauging the feasibility of approaching Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City, has a contract that extends until 2025, which is 12 months after Euro 2024.
One significant hurdle the English FA faces in pursuing Guardiola is his substantial wages, among the highest in the managerial world. Guardiola commands an annual salary of around $24 million, making him the highest-paid manager in the Premier League and second in the world, trailing only Diego Simeone of Atlético Madrid.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the FA’s ongoing efforts to recoup financial losses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have reached staggering amounts of up to $376 million.
Pep Guardiola on managing a national team
While there are several hurdles to overcome, one promising aspect for the English FA is the comments of Pep Guardiola on managing a national team.
In 2021, the Spanish manager himself commented on the possibility of guiding a national team in the future. He stated, “The next step will be a national team, if the opportunity presents itself.”
Guardiola acknowledged the need for a break after his seven-year stint at Manchester City, expressing a desire to pause, learn from other coaches, and potentially embark on the path of international management. He also expressed interest in coaching in prestigious tournaments such as the European Championship, Copa America, and World Cup.
🗣️| Pep’s brother Pere Guardiola on Pep managing a national team:
“Pep has a dream of coaching a national team someday, but we’ll see how it goes; what will be the moment, if he will receive an offer.
“It is not something for the present.”
[Globo Esporte] pic.twitter.com/XqSpRAsxiE
— City Chief (@City_Chief) June 2, 2020
Although Guardiola’s name has been linked with national teams like Brazil, Spain, and Argentina. Brazil and Argentina are settled with Carlo Ancelotti and Lionel Scaloni, respectively.
The positions of Spain and England, however, could hold significant allure for Guardiola. It presents the possibility of a return to his homeland to rejuvenate Spain’s international standing, which has waned since their 2012 Euros triumph, or the opportunity to lead England to its first major title since 1966.
At the club level, Guardiola has achieved nearly every accolade, including a recent treble with Manchester City, solidifying his status at the pinnacle of European club soccer. Given his accomplishments, it wouldn’t be surprising if Guardiola’s next career move takes him toward managing a national team.
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