05 September 2023 , 00:00
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The Football Association (FA) are reportedly interested in hiring Pep Guardiola as England manager once Gareth Southgate steps down.
Southgate, 53, is expected to quit his current job when his contract expires after next year's Euros in Germany. The ex-defender has been in charge of the Three Lions since September 2016 and achieved significant success, reaching the final of Euro 2020.
FA chiefs are drawing up a shortlist of replacements and it's believed Guardiola, 52, is on it. The Spaniard, who's won the Champions League three times during his coaching career, is regarded by many critics as the best manager on the planet.
Guardiola's contract with Manchester City expires in June 2025 and there's a chance he could be lured away from the Etihad. He's been in charge of City since July 2016 and may be intrigued by international football after achieving everything at club level.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the FA's 'dream' successor for Southgate is Guardiola. Officials will explore the possibility of hiring the former Barcelona boss if Southgate leaves his role after next summer's Euros, but other managers are also in the running.
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It's believed Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter are all liked by the FA, although only the latter is currently unattached. Potter was sacked by Chelsea earlier this year, with Pochettino now in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Howe is the manager of Newcastle, one of the richest clubs in the world, while Rodgers was re-appointed by Celtic during the summer. Yet it'd be difficult for any candidate to reject the England job, which remains a very desirable position.
Pep Guardiola has previously expressed an interest in international management (Getty Images)Who do you think should be the next England manager? Let us know in the comments below!
Hiring Guardiola would be an almighty coup for the FA, as they could struggle to match his City salary. The FA have given the England job to an overseas manager before, hiring Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2001 and Fabio Capello seven years later.
Guardiola, who's won titles in Spain, Germany and England, has previously hinted at becoming an international manager. "The next step will be a national team, if the opportunity presents itself," he told reporters in 2021.
"I must take a break after seven years (at City, later changing his mind). I need to stop and look, learn from other coaches and then maybe take that path. I would like to coach in a European Championship, a Copa America, a World Cup."
There's still a chance Southgate could stay on as England manager beyond next summer if there's no obvious candidate. The former Middlesbrough boss remains a popular figure among FA chiefs and could be persuaded to sign a new contract.