FA 'contacts Pep Guardiola' as first step to hire Man City manager

The FA have reportedly contacted Pep Guardiola to gauge his interest in taking the England job when his contract with Manchester City expires. Guardiola has been linked with the vacancy in recent months but is yet to make a decision on his future.

The Spaniard is only linked with City until next year and has become a target for the FA in their search for a new England manager. The governing body made “informal contacts” with Guardiola at the start of the campaign, according to the Times.

Guardiola is said to have yet to respond to the FA's advances and has not decided what to do beyond the end of the season. He is expected to make a firm decision in the coming weeks, with City desperate for him to sign extended terms at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola would be the preferred option to take England forward if he decides not to continue at City. The FA are believed to still be evaluating other candidates, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter having been linked in recent weeks.

Caretaker boss Lee Carsley could also be handed the role on a permanent basis, having refused to step down following England's victory over Finland on Sunday.

Speaking after the final whistle, Carsley said: “This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies, been there and done that, and I'm still on track to get there. achieve.

“I haven't really thought about it. I keep saying the same thing. My goal was to play six games and I'm really happy with that. I'm enjoying it.”

Guardiola, meanwhile, was asked about England links during an appearance on Italian show Che Tempo Che Fa this weekend.

“Leaving City? It's not true, I haven't decided yet and it's not even true that I will be the next England manager,” he replied. “If I had decided, I would say it. I don't know either. Anything can happen.”

Guardiola led City to four consecutive Premier League titles and produced a number of players for the England team, including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis. Only time will tell if he decides to take the England job when his City contract expires next summer.

Earlier this year, the 53-year-old expressed his interest in managing an international team before the end of his coaching career.

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

“I don’t know if it will be in five, 10 or 15 years, but I would like to have the experience of being a coach at a World Cup.”