The Times reports.
English Football Association (EFA)
The season started off with
Pep Guardiola (1985-), Spanish footballer
There have been "informal contacts" and Guardiola, 53, has not yet responded but is considering his options and deciding on his next move, if the transfer will be decided relatively quickly so as not to put Manchester City in a difficult situation.
Pep Guardiola is entering his ninth season as Manchester City manager and has won six Premier League titles, as well as the 2023 treble. He meets the criteria outlined by the FA, which is looking for a manager with experience of English soccer, a good Premier League or international record and experience of developing English players.
Asked about the future on Sunday, Guardiola said on an Italian TV program, "Leave Manchester City? It's not true, I haven't decided yet, I when
England
The head coach isn't really either. If it's decided, I'd say ...... anything can happen."
Reports say the FA want to keep details of the selection of a new manager and discussions with candidates secret, but they are also interested in Tuchel, who is unemployed after leaving Bayern at the end of last season. The coaching staff at St. George's Park, however, believe Guardiola is the top choice on the FA's list.
City want Guardiola to stay for a tenth season, with his time spent with City chairman and friend Al Mubarak during international matches bringing hope that the City chairman had convinced Guardiola to extend his contract at the end of the 2020/2021 season. Reports suggest that Guardiola, out of respect for City, wanted to let them know his future as early as possible to give City time to find a replacement. The departure of director of soccer Begiristain (a close friend of Guardiola's) at the end of the season may also have been a factor, with Guardiola having said that one of the reasons for the two contract extensions was that Begiristain was in.
