In case you have not heard, Gareth Southgate will likely walk away from the England job after next year’s European Championships in Germany.
The English FA wants Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola to be the next manager but has also drawn up a list of candidates that includes Eddie Howe (Newcastle), Brendan Rodgers (Celtic), Mauricio Pochettino (Chelsea), and the unemployed Graham Potter.
Last month, there was a suggestion that Lioness coach Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the women’s European title last year and the World Cup final, was on a list to replace Southgate.
But it is Guardiola that the English FA now hopes to attract, to add some ‘Pep’ to the men’s team that has flattered to deceive under Southgate.
Since taking over from Sam Allardyce in 2016, Southgate has squandered chance after chance of ending England’s international drought that goes back to the 1966 World Cup.
The most painful moment came at Euro 2020 on home ground two years ago – the tournament was held a year late due to Covid-19.
England took the lead after only two minutes against Italy in the final, then retreated into its shell, allowing its opponents to claw their way back into the game.
Italy hit back to equalise in the second half, and won 3-2 on penalties.
Many believe Southgate is too defensive, and England would benefit from an attacking coach like Guardiola.
But why should a manager who has won five Premier League titles, including the treble last season, downgrade himself by taking the England job?
Although some call the Spaniard a “chequebook manager” – he has spent billions at Barcelona, Bayern, and City – the fact remains that he has forged title-winning teams at all his clubs, and has won 36 trophies in 15 years as a manager.
One only needs to look at Chelsea to see that money cannot buy success. The London club has spent nearly £1.2 billion since Todd Boehly took over last season.
It finished 12th in May and is in the same position after four matches of the new season.
Guardiola’s City, meanwhile, is flying at the top of the table with a perfect record of four wins from as many matches.
Many consider Guardiola the perfect manager for Spain, but he is a supporter of an independent Catalan, and that might see him omitted from the top job.
His contract with City ends in 2025, and Guardiola has never left a club earlier than the stipulated date.
As such, England can carry on dreaming of getting him as its next manager.
