Pep Guardiola Open to England Return, Had Private Talks After City Exit

Pep Guardiola has told close friends he would like to manage the England national football team in the future, despite previously turning down the offer in 2024.

The 55-year-old stepped down as Manchester City manager this summer after a hugely successful decade in which he won 20 major honours, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

According to reports from The Athletic, Guardiola changed his mind in 2024 when he decided to stay at the Etihad for two more seasons, putting any move to the England national team on hold.

After leaving the Premier League, he plans to take a break from football. Reflecting on his decision, he said: “Rest. No plans to train for a while. Otherwise, I would be here. I need to step back, I will not train for a while. Many people, when I said it would be my last season, said after three months you will come back. I don’t think so. I will take a while, but I have to prove to myself [that I need a rest].”

He added: “It’s not 10 years – except half a year in New York, it has been 17 or 18 years every three days with people demanding trebles and Premier Leagues, and I need to breathe a little bit and relax. I will be out for a while. It has been the experience of my life at City, otherwise I would not have been there for 10 years. I cannot be more grateful for the amount of love and affection.”

Guardiola’s name has resurfaced amid criticism of Thomas Tuchel following England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, with critics calling for his departure. However, Tuchel, whose contract runs until Euro 2028, remains resolute.

Speaking after the match, the former Chelsea manager said: “We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros. I’m looking forward to that, even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead.”

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