Pep Guardiola eyeing up England job with rival nation also planning dream appointment

Pep Guardiola is keen to become England manager one day, talkSPORT understands.

However, the Three Lions could face competition from rival national teams for the Spaniard’s signature.

Getty

Saudi Arabia are also interested in appointing Guardiola in the future.

Current national team boss Georgios Donis, who took charge in April, is under contract until July 2027.

Meanwhile, Guardiola is fresh from leaving Manchester City on Sunday following ten years in charge at the Etihad Stadium where he won 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles.

Enzo Maresca is set to succeed him with Guardiola expected to take a break from management, having been Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss prior to taking over at City.

Guardiola’s international future

Ben Jacobs discussed the possibility of Guardiola’s next job being in international football prior to his final game as City manager.

Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are viable options if chooses to make the switch.

However, Guardiola remains a ‘dream’ target for the FA when it comes to succeeding current England boss Thomas Tuchel.

When asked if a move to Qatar or Saudi Arabia are a possibility, Jacobs told talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs: “Saudi is the viable option.

“Although, naturally, UAE because of the links with Manchester City could be another possibility too.

“The England job, he’s always been a dream candidate. We know that Thomas Tuchel extended, but in the long run…

Getty

“I think Saudi will make a play for Pep Guardiola with a view more to the longer-term future. They won’t be panicked if they don’t get him now.

“They’ll be thinking more about, is he the right manager for the 2034 World Cup?”

Saudi Arabia are set to host the World Cup for the first time in eight years’ time.

The England job remains on the cards for Guardiola, though, with Jacobs adding: “My feeling is that Pep will one day go into international management.

“He doesn’t have anything else lined up. It’s unlikely he’ll take another job within the Premier League, but keep an eye on Pep just doing what Jurgen Klopp’s done, taking on strategic roles.

“He’s going to be a club ambassador for City Football Group and then in the more medium to long-term future, is his head turned by an international vacancy?

Getty

“The Saudi Football Federation would love to bring Pep Guardiola as manager one day, but he still remains a kind of dream target for England.

“Of course, Thomas Tuchel is the man they’ve gone for. He signed a new deal, he’s the manager in place at the moment for the home Euros.

“If it was not to work out and end more abruptly, and there’s no signs of that at this stage, then don’t be surprised if England come calling for Pep Guardiola as well.”

Tuchel signed a new two-year contract extension with the Three Lions in February through to the end of Euro 2028.

Getty

His initial deal had been set to expire after this summer’s World Cup.

The German has been in charge of England since the start of 2025, having succeeded Gareth Southgate in the role.