Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has spoken about his future plans
Pep Guardiola has hinted that he will try his hand at managing a national team when he eventually leaves Manchester City.
Guardiola recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-contract with City, where he has been since 2016. The Catalan has committed to City until the end of the 2026/27 season, but the team’s miserable form at present has sparked the rumour mill once again.
City have won one of their last nine matches in all competitions and have slipped eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in-hand. Guardiola has shown signs of stress during the dramatic dip in form and has raised eyebrows by openly discussing his desire to improve his French, cooking and golf skills.
The 53-year-old also affirmed his desire to change from club football to national team management when the time finally comes to leave City. “A time will come when I feel it’s enough and I’ll definitely stop then," Guardiola told chef Dani Garcia on his Desmontadito YouTube channel.
[
Pep Guardiola drops Man City exit bombshell despite signing new two-year contract](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pep-guardiola-mancity-quit-future-34284076)
"I’m not going to manage another team. I’m not talking about the long-term future but what I’m not going to do is leave Manchester City and go to another country to do the same thing as I am now.
“I wouldn’t have the energy to do so. I’m still here doing what I am today. But the thought of starting off somewhere else, with all the process of the training and so on... no, no, no! Maybe a national team but that’s different.”
Guardiola was contacted by the Football Association earlier this year when they were searching for Gareth Southgate ’s successor as England manager. He did not dismiss the idea, saying "anything can happen", but the job eventually went to Thomas Tuchel after the FA didn’t hear back from Guardiola.
Leroy Sane snubbed Liverpool in 2016 to join Man City and Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has been considering his next job ( Image: Getty Images)
Guardiola is understood to have reached three approaches over national team roles this season and Mirror Football reported in October that he has long had his eye on the Brazil job. Brazil are currently fifth in South America World Cup qualifying and, if they qualify, a poor performance at the 2026 World Cup could trigger a change in management, with Dorival Junior in danger of being sacked.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo plans to run for the presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation – and he wants Guardiola as the next Selecao manager if he gets the job. The 48-year-old is gearing up to run for the CBF presidency in the upcoming elections and will use the idea of luring Guardiola to the job as a key part of his manifesto.
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