Pep Guardiola admits ‘anything can happen’ as Keane backs him for England job

Pep Guardiola has refused to rule himself out of the running to become the next England manager after receiving the backing of Roy Keane.

Guardiola’s contract at Manchester City expires at the end of the season and the Catalan has yet to confirm his next move. It is unlikely he will make a decision on whether to extend his stay at the Etihad until the case against the club for alleged financial fair play breaches is resolved.

That has opened the window for England to potentially make a move as they seek a successor to Gareth Southgate.

There were reports over the weekend that suggested Guardiola has already said yes to the FA, but he insisted last night that was not the case.

Speaking on Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa, he said: “It’s not true. I’m Manchester City manager.”

He followed that up, however, by saying: “I’ve not decided anything, everything can happen. So I don’t know.

“I still need to reflect and decide what I want to do.”

Guardiola would be the dream appointment for the FA with England still without a major trophy win since 1966, despite several near-misses under Southgate.

And television pundit Keane believes the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man would be a perfect fit.

Thomas Tuchel?
Graham Potter?
Eddie Howe?
Pep Guardiola…?

Who do you think will be the next England manager? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/9TxjckFtyP

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 13, 2024

Keane backs Pep

“Go after Pep [Guardiola], go for the best. Pep’s contract is up the summer. The FA have to go for the best guy, I don’t know if finances will play a part in it,” he said on ITV after yesterday’s 3-1 win over Finland in Helsinki.

‘If Lee [Carsley] obviously rules himself, and he’s not interested, and that seems to be the noises coming out, then the FA better get busy and get the right man.”

Carsley was appointed interim boss following Southgate’s resignation with a remit of looking after the squad for three camps, and six games, which end next month.

His messaging around his future has been muddled with various claims and counter-claims as to whether he would like to be considered for the role full-time.

“This job deserves a World class coach who’s won trophies…and I’m still on the path to doing that”

Has Lee Carsley effectively ruled himself out of the England running? ❌#ITVFootball | @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/QQz1JHzGNo

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 13, 2024

Carsley’s thoughts still unclear

He indicated after the Finland game that the job should go to “a world-class coach who has won trophies,” seemingly ruling himself out.

But he later denied he was too inexperienced, adding: “Definitely not. I tried to make it clear as I could.

“My remit was three camps in the Nations League. The point I was trying to make is it is one of the top jobs in the world and it deserves a top coach.

“I’m finding this job a challenge in a good way.”

England return to action on November 14 with a trip to Greece before finishing their Nations League group phase fixtures at home to the Republic of Ireland three days later.