England could capitalise on Pep Guardiola’s Man City exit after Gareth Southgate farewell

Manchester City marvel Pep Guardiola could lead England into the 2026 World Cup if the FA plays their cards right. The Catalan has voiced his ambition to move into international management and could realise that dream as early as next year when his City contract expires.

The Daily Mail has suggested the upcoming season might be Guardiola’s swansong at the Etihad Stadium. That timing could align perfectly ahead of the next World Cup, providing an ideal opportunity for Guardiola to take the reins of a national team and fulfil his ambition of managing at a major international tournament.

In a candid conversation with ESPN Brasil back in February, he expressed his aspirations after already accomplishing so much in club football: “A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.”

There are no clear avenues into that side of the sport just yet. However, it’s guaranteed that numerous nations would be interested in his services if they did become available, and The Mirror reported how England could be one very viable suitor.

Addressing the matter of which team he’d potentially take over, the City chief added: “I don’t know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club.”

The path is clear for Guardiola, 53, to take over the Three Lions following Gareth Southgate’s exit, which was confirmed on Tuesday. Southgate, also 53, was initially a stop-gap solution when he stepped in for Sam Allardyce, who resigned in 2016.

The FA might consider another short-term appointment if it meant securing one of football’s greatest minds. This would leave England in a state of limbo for the next year or so, but the potential rewards could be significant if they managed to persuade Guardiola to extend his tenure beyond 2026.

The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager may naturally lean towards coaching home country Spain, but Luis de la Fuente seems unlikely to step aside after his team clinched Euro 2024. Meanwhile, France, Germany and Portugal are all spoken for, with respective managers Didier Deschamps, Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martinez each contracted until 2026.

Guardiola has entered the final year of his City contract in the past only to sign new terms at the Etihad, usually in the autumn or winter period. However, as he nears his nine-year anniversary in Manchester, the strength of speculation about his future seem different this time around.

The departure of Guardiola from City would be a significant gain for any national team lucky enough to secure his services as a result. And England could have a crucial advantage if they wish to fill their current void by offering one of this generation’s most iconic tacticians a pathway into the next World Cup.