Man City boss Pep Guardiola makes next job admission with stance clear

Pep Guardiola is under contract at Manchester City until 2025 and has hinted at extending his stay.

Pep Guardiola is under contract at Manchester City until 2025, and has hinted at signing an extension that would take his reign at the Etihad into a tenth season.

However, while he has floated the idea of staying beyond next summer, Guardiola has now opened up on what kind of job he would look for when he does depart City. He had a year out between his spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so may seek another sabbatical after his trophy-laden spell in Manchester. But he has confirmed his intention to move into international management and take charge at a major tournament.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Guardiola was asked what is left for him to achieve after he led City to the treble last season, including the previously elusive Champions League, followed by the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup this season. He would be the first manager to achieve a double treble if City can retain their three titles in 2024.

In answering, Guardiola said: “I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.”

The City chief he has no specific preference for which country, having previously been linked with the England, Brazil and USA jobs. Guardiola represented Spain 47 times as a player, but also supports Catalan independence.

“I don’t know who would want me!” he joked, adding that he also doesn’t have a preference for which major tournament he would like to manage in, let alone try and win. “To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club. I never thought about [winning a World Cup]. When I started in this I never thought about winning a league title or winning the Champions League. No. I thought, I have a job? OK.

“I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro or a Copa América, or whatever it is. I would like that.”

While the comments may lead City fans to think that Guardiola is beginning to plan beyond his spell at the Etihad, Guardiola said he has no immediate plans to swap the day-to-day of club management for a national job.

He clarified: “I don’t know when that would be, if that is five, 10, 15 years from now but I would like to have the experience of being a manager in a World Cup.”

The next World Cup is the expanded 2026 edition in the USA, with the 2028 European Championships set for the UK and Ireland. There is also set to be a Copa America in 2028.