PREMIER LEAGUE
Pep Guardiola gives thoughts on return to coaching in Spain
Previously the Manchester City coach talked up the idea of taking the next step of his career into national team management, and was asked again.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declined to positively respond to the opportunity of coaching the Spanish national team, at least for now. This was confirmed in a press conference yesterday, following Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Urawa Reds, which secured their place in the Club World Cup final.
Guardiola avoids Spain job thoughts
When asked about the possibility of taking up the role as a future national team coach, Guardiola replied, “I have a year left on my contract, and I am very, very happy in Manchester.” He also expressed his desire to renew his contract with the reigning English and European champions, joking that it depends on whether his bosses decide to keep him. “Hopefully they don’t sack me... I still have time left at City,” he added.
Guardiola, whose contract with City extends until June 2025, will have spent nine years at the helm of the dominant Premier League side by then, a tenure that might be extended further, reflecting the coach’s intentions.
For now, it would seem, Guardiola is not looking to take up the role of Spanish team coach, but we remember previous statements by him, in 2021, indicating that coaching a national team is indeed the next step in his career. Given his success at club level, most national teams will be happy to take him whenever he chooses to step in.