Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped when asked about a possible role as the head coach of England. The Manchester City manager appeared on an Italian TV show alongside his old friend Roberto Baggio.
In England, the debate over who will take the helm as the national team coach has been simmering for months.
The vacancy opened up after Gareth Southgate stepped down from his position, leading to a scramble for potential candidates. In the interim, Lee Carsley, the England U21 coach, has been holding the fort. However, Carsley recently hinted that he doesn't see himself as the ideal candidate for the full-time role, sparking more speculation about who might take over. Among those mentioned by the media as possible successors is Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, a name that has drawn significant attention. Publications like The Athletic have proposed him as a top choice, given his remarkable managerial achievements.
But during a recent appearance on an Italian television show, where Guardiola sat alongside football legend Roberto Baggio, the Spaniard was directly asked about these rumors regarding his future and whether he would consider leaving Manchester City at the end of the season to coach a national team, such as England. Guardiola responded with his trademark candor: "None of it is true," he said. "I haven’t decided anything yet and still need to reflect. If I had already made a decision, I would say so. It could go in any direction." While he didn't close the door entirely on the possibility, his response suggested that his future remains up in the air, as has been noted before by The Athletic. His words left room for interpretation, making it clear that while he hasn’t ruled anything out, no decisions have been made yet.
The Champions League
Guardiola also weighed in on the changes to the Champions League, a tournament where he has had significant success but also heartache over the years. When asked about the competition’s new format, which has introduced changes designed to expand the number of teams and alter the group stage structure, Guardiola admitted he’s still unsure about the details. "Honestly, I don’t understand it at all yet," he confessed. "I just coach the team, and that’s it. I think we can only really say something about it at the end of the season." His comments reflect the general uncertainty that many managers have regarding the new system, with a wait-and-see approach being the most prudent course until the format's true impact becomes clearer.
However, one thing Guardiola was certain about was which team he absolutely wouldn’t want to face in Europe’s top competition: FC Barcelona. "I love that club so much that it would really break me to have to play against them," he revealed. "I was born near there in a small village." His emotional connection to Barça, where he spent his formative years as a player and coach, remains strong. Guardiola has made no secret of his deep affection for the Catalan giants, a club where he won multiple titles and built his managerial reputation, transforming them into one of the most dominant teams in football history.
Over the years, Guardiola has crossed paths with Barcelona four times in the Champions League. Twice, he faced them while managing Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, and twice more during the group stages with Manchester City. The encounters have been bittersweet, with Guardiola managing to claim victory once with each club, but losing twice to Barça at Camp Nou. Those losses, particularly at his old home ground, were difficult for him, highlighting the emotional toll it takes to face a club he holds so dear.
As for his future, Guardiola remains non-committal, leaving fans and pundits alike guessing. Will he stay at Manchester City to continue his domestic and European quest, or could a new challenge, perhaps even with a national team, be on the horizon? One thing is clear: regardless of where he ends up, the football world will be watching closely.
