Other SportsManchester City: Guardiola eyes international job before retirement

Manchester City: Guardiola eyes international job before retirement

Pep Guardiola would like to manage a country at a major international tournament before he retires.

Guardiola has been the leading manager in club football over the past 15 years, winning 11 domestic league titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City as well as three Champions League trophies.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Joe Hart to retire at the end of the season
India v England: Fourth Test – preview, how to watch and prediction
Furbank included by England for Calcutta Cup clash

His contract at City runs until the end of next season and, while he has not ruled out staying at the Etihad, he admits to fancying a crack at international management.

He told ESPN Brasil: “I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.”

Asked if he had a particular country in mind, he added: “I don’t know who would want me. To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club.”

The 53-year-old, who represented Spain at the 1994 World Cup, the European Championship in 2000 and captained his country to the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, insists he never entered coaching with the aim of managing a team at a World Cup.

“I never thought about it like that,” he added.

“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? Okay.

“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.

“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.”

Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher
Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.
Latest

The role of sustainable energy infrastructure in Manchester’s business growth

UK electricity prices for non-domestic users averaged 24.9p/kWh in the first quarter of 2024, which was up 60% compared to 2019. As competition grows...

Majority of UK mid-market firms trapped in ‘identity crisis’, new benchmark finds

More than half of the UK's mid-market B2B service businesses are failing to convert marketing investment into commercial growth because they lack brand identity,...

New research finds over a quarter of women have considered leaving the workforce because of hormone-related symptoms

A new survey has revealed that 28% of women have considered leaving the workforce altogether because of their hormone-related symptoms. This highlights the significant impact...

Rare Mbappé, Messi and Ronaldo Cards Could Surface During Live 2018 National Treasures Break on eBay

ANDOVER, UK, July 15, 2026 - Football card collectors could witness the discovery of some of the hobby's biggest modern treasures this Sunday when...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Why Manchester Businesses Are Switching to a Single Roller Shutter Provider

Manchester’s retail, hospitality and industrial sectors have grown steadily across the city centre, Trafford Park and the wider M60 corridor, and with that growth...

Why your business marketing needs to be paracetamol, not vitamins

By business mentor Faye Mac (pictured), founder of Faye Mac Consultancy. There's a question I ask every business owner I work with when we start...

Mania Sports Partners with eBay for Live £20,000 World Cup Soccer Card Break

ANDOVER, UK. July 15th, 2026 -  Interest in premium sports trading cards remains at an all-time high as collectors around the world continue chasing...

Why Manchester’s New Office Developments Are Prioritising Access Control from Day One

Greater Manchester’s development pipeline shows no sign of slowing, with the region’s Good Growth Fund backing more than 30 major projects across all ten...

More News

Rare Mbappé, Messi and Ronaldo Cards Could Surface During Live 2018 National Treasures Break on eBay

ANDOVER, UK, July 15, 2026 - Football card collectors could witness the discovery of some of the hobby's biggest modern treasures this Sunday when...

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025: Report, result, highlights as Norris savours ‘stressful’ win

Lando Norris praised McLaren's "amazing car" after overcoming unpredictable conditions to beat reigning champion Max Verstappen and win the F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025...

India vs Australia: Preview, expected lineups, how to watch on TV and prediction for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India vs Australia: The State of Play India will be targeting a third consecutive appearance in the final when they face Australia in the first...