Pep Guardiola breaks silence on England job and gives condition over move to Serie A

Pep Guardiola has claimed ‘anything can happen’ in relation to his next step in football, as the Catalan coach continues to be linked with the England job.

England are on the lookout for a new manager after Gareth Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024, with Lee Carsley having taken interim charge in the meantime.

It’s reported Carsley has no interest in taking the job on a full-time basis with Guardiola among those being touted as a possible replacement.

Guardiola’s current contract at Manchester City is due to expire in the summer, meaning he’d be able to seamlessly step in as Three Lions boss ahead of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

But when quizzed about whether he’s in line to take over, Guardiola remained coy, telling Che Tempo Che Fa: “I haven’t finished my career at Manchester City yet, I still have to think about it.

“It’s not true that I’ll be the England coach. I haven’t decided anything yet, if I had decided my future at Manchester City I would say so, anything can happen in life.”

The talk about Guardiola’s future comes amid a turbulent time for City, with director of football and long-time Guardiola ally Txiki Begiristain set to leave at the end of the season.

The Blues are also in the midst of the ‘Trial of the Century’, with the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League being examined by an independent commission – allegations the club vehemently denies.

And the host of the Italian talk show couldn’t help but try and tempt Guardiola away from City in favour of a move to Serie A.

Guardiola spent two years as a player in Serie A, enjoying stints at both Brescia and Roma, with the now 53-year-old joking he’d move to Italy on one condition.

Paying tribute to his former Brescia team-mate, he said: “Future in Italy? If [Roberto] Baggio accompanies me as assistant.”

The ex-Barcelona star had earlier revealed his admiration for Baggio, commenting: “I knew him when he was in the final moments of his career and with a ruined knee, but he was still the strongest.

“I can only imagine when he was in his prime. He is loved everywhere.”

Guardiola was also pressed on his career in management, teasing he’s the “best” because he’s won a league, cup and Champions League treble at two different clubs.

On his influences as a coach, Guardiola unsurprisingly pointed towards Johan Cruyff as the man who made him “fall in love with football”.

Speaking about the Dutch legend, the six-time Premier League winner claimed: “I can’t imagine how my life and career would have gone without Cruyff.

“He taught me so much on a tactical level, but above all he created me from a human point of view. He was a genius, unique. He made me fall in love with football.”

Guardiola and City will resume their hunt for an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row against Wolves on Sunday.