Pep Guardiola’s Next Move: The Untold Story of His Potential International Management Ambitions
With less than a year remaining on his contract at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has reiterated his desire to manage an international team before hanging up his managerial boots. In a surprising revelation, Brazilian agent Andre Cury claimed that Guardiola was nearly secured to manage the Brazil national team back in 2014, before he opted for Manchester City.
Cury, a Brazilian businessman involved in the negotiations, detailed how close Guardiola came to taking the Brazil job during his sabbatical after leaving Barcelona and before joining Bayern Munich in 2013. “We had Guardiola practically locked up,” Cury told CNN Brazil. “He wanted to come; he was on a sabbatical year. To come to the Brazilian national team, for you to understand the greatness of the national team, he would come.”
Ultimately, Brazil retained Luis Felipe Scolari for their home World Cup in 2014, and Guardiola embarked on his journey with Bayern Munich, followed by his ongoing tenure at City. Nevertheless, Guardiola’s dream of managing at the international level remains alive. Earlier this year, he expressed his ambition to coach at a World Cup before retiring. “I don’t know who wants me. To work for a national team, they have to want you, just like at clubs. I don’t know when, in five, ten, 15 years, but I would like to play in a World Cup as a coach,” he said.
As speculation mounts regarding his next move, Guardiola has left the door open for a contract extension at City, yet he has also hinted at the possibility of concluding his illustrious spell in East Manchester. Current reports suggest he might leave in the summer of 2025, rather than extending into a tenth season and beyond.
If Guardiola ventures into international management, Brazil would undoubtedly be a prime candidate. Dorival Junior, who took over in January, is set to lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup, potentially putting them out of the running. Spain, where Guardiola’s political views could be a barrier despite his 47 caps as a player, and the USA, due to his New York ties during his 2012 sabbatical, have also been suggested. Guardiola’s relationship with Lionel Messi could even spark interest in managing Argentina, or perhaps Germany, given his history in the Bundesliga, as a successor to Julian Nagelsmann.
Bookmakers, however, see England as a likely destination for Guardiola. Gareth Southgate is expected to step down after Euro 2024, and recent odds place Guardiola at 16/1 for the England job, although Graham Potter is the current favorite. Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are also in the mix.
Should Guardiola take on an international role, he would need to adapt from his intense club management style to the intermittent nature of international fixtures. Despite his previous criticism of international managers overusing club players, a potential switch to leading a national team could see him bringing a unique dynamic to the role.
As the summer tournaments unfold, with the Euros and Copa America potentially opening up new opportunities, Guardiola’s next career move remains one of the most intriguing questions in football. Whether he extends his legacy at City or ventures into the international arena, the world is keenly watching Guardiola’s every step.
