Pep Guardiola's stance on becoming England manager as FA 'dream' made clear

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already distanced himself from the role of England manager as the FA continue their hunt for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.

The Spaniard is said to be the ‘dream’ man for the position after revolutionising English football during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has led the Citizens to a whole host of trophies, including the Champions League, Club World Cup and six Premier League titles, since being appointed City boss in 2016.

He has also been widely attributed in helping the English game progress thanks to his emphasis on ball-playing goalkeepers and attacking transitions where players pass the ball into better goalscoring positions.

Southgate stepped down after eight years as England boss in July following the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.

The former defender led his country to two European Championship finals, as well as a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, but never managed to clinch a trophy during his tenure.

He was replaced by interim manager Lee Carsley, who guided England to a 2-0 Nations League victory over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and a 2-0 victory over Finland in the same competition three days later.

Carsley is now the favourite to clinch the job on a permanent basis. But, according to The Telegraph, he is not guaranteed to continue in his role as the FA have also spoken to a wide variety of other managers.

Former Chelsea bosses Graham Potter and Frank Lampard are on the FA’s radar, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also a candidate. However, sources have claimed to the publication that Guardiola would be a dream appointment.

The 53-year-old could be available next summer as his contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire and he is yet to put pen-to-paper on a new deal.

Guardiola was quizzed about the vacant England position during City’s pre-season tour to the USA in the summer.

And the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager explained: “I am here, I am really pleased. I cannot say anything. I don’t know where it has come from.

“I am really satisfied here. I am desperate for when the players are ready to come back to start to train all together and refresh what we have to do.”

He has since guided City to three victories in three Premier League matches and will be aiming to lift the Premier League trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.