England’s Football Association would consider appointing an interim manager to try and coax Pep Guardiola to become the England boss if he does decide to leave Manchester City in 2025.
While it is not the FA’s first choice to wait, the Catalan represents such an outstanding candidate it would at least bring a re-assessment if there was any chance of getting him.
Gareth Southgate’s resignation was announced on Tuesday morning, just two days after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, putting into action a long-prepared FA plan for his departure.
The priority is for a manager who understands the culture of the national team, which Guardiola fits into perfectly having spent eight years in England and supplied so many players.
He has naturally been high on any ideal list, but previously, the feeling was that it would be near impossible to get him out of City for such a job.
There is now a feeling within the English champions that Guardiola might leave at the end of the 2024-25 season. Complicating his future is the ongoing Premier League investigation into City over the hundred-plus charges for alleged breaches of rules on financial regulation. The club stress their innocence.
Who are the contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager?
Guardiola has previously expressed interest in going into international management, although primarily on the romance of coaching Brazil. In such a scenario that he might be interested, the FA would seek to play up the idea of ending England’s long wait for an international trophy. Guardiola does not have a particular interest in managing Spain due to identifying as a Catalan.
One problem is that the 53-year-old may not even decide until the end of the 2024-25 season, as has been the case in recent campaigns. That may not prove completely off-putting, however.
While the FA have stressed their intention to make a quick decision, that can involve an interim; qualification for the 2026 World Cup doesn’t start until late March.
Under-21 manager Lee Carsley would be seen as someone ready to step up, given he is currently a candidate for the senior job. Any success in such games could even see him promoted if Guardiola does not ultimately leave City or want the job.
Figures with knowledge of the situation have also pointed out that the FA were prepared to wait for Sarina Wiegman on the women’s team because they felt she was the right choice.
Regarding candidates the FA would seek to go for immediately, Newcastle United have already let it be known they would work to keep Eddie Howe.
