Pep Guardiola lined up for approach over possible Manchester City exit in 2024

Manchester City could be subject to an approach from a national team set-up over the potential availability of head coach Pep Guardiola, according to reports.

Guardiola is currently within the final two seasons of his current City contract, and while there is no expectation that he could cut short his stay in the north-west of England, organisations and footballing bodies are already beginning to namecheck him as a possible candidate for upcoming managerial openings.

Manchester City is Pep Guardiola’s fourth managerial job since leaving the game as a player, having taken up positions with FC Barcelona B, FC Barcelona, and Bayern Munich across an illustrious trophy-laden career.

However, while the City boss has always remained in club positions, he has never seemingly closed the door on one day taking lead in an international set-up, having been linked with positions at Brazil and Spain in the past.

Now, it is being suggested that those responsible for decisions around the England men’s national team have sounded out Pep Guardiola as a potential option during his post-Manchester City career.

That is according to the information of MailSport’s Sami Mokbel, who reports that officials at the Football Association are ‘conscious of the uncertainty’ and ‘taking seriously the possibility’ that Gareth Southgate will leave his position as England manager after next summer’s European Championships.

It is claimed that the dream appointment for some within the FA is Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola – an option that officials are ‘open to exploring’. However, it must be reminded that the Catalan’s current Etihad contract does not expire until the summer of 2025.

There also remains the possibility that Pep Guardiola could look to extend his deal yet further, with those within the Etihad Stadium comfortable in allowing the 52-year-old all the time to decide on his future, even when his contract begins to run down as seen in previous seasons.

Pep Guardiola is currently taking time out from his duties at Manchester City having undergone emergency surgery on his back, and subsequently recovering in his home in Barcelona.

In the meantime, press conference duties, training ground activities, and touching presence has been handed over to his trusted number two Juanma Lillo – who is expected to return to his assistant role after the international break.

Should Pep Guardiola recover as expected, he is likely to be back in charge for Manchester City’s next competitive game against West Ham United at the London Stadium in the Premier League – immediately after the international break.