Odds slashed on Pep Guardiola becoming next England manager as 'contact' from FA revealed

Pep Guardiola has been sounded out about becoming the next England manager, according to a new report.

Guardiola, 53, has been consistently linked with the England job in recent years, with speculation increasing following former manager Gareth Southgate's departure after Euro 2024.

Guardiola is viewed by many as the ideal candidate for the role. The Catalan has overseen a period of unprecedented success at Manchester City, winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title last season as well as the club's first ever Champions League trophy in 2023.

But his future at the Etihad is uncertain, with the manager out of contract at the end of the season.

Guardiola is yet to commit himself to City amid the club's ongoing 115 Premier League charges hearing.

And while Guardiola has publicly stated his support for the club, he is yet to confirm if he will sign a contract extension – leading to speculation he could leave when his current deal expires next summer.

The Times report that the Football Association (FA) have already 'sounded out' Guardiola over becoming Southgate's permanent replacement as England manager, should he decide to leave City.

It's claimed the FA made informal contact with the Catalan at the start of this season.

Guardiola is expected to make a final decision over his future in the coming weeks, meaning it is almost certainly set to come before the outcome of City's hearing.

Guardiola is yet to officially respond to the FA but fuelled speculation this week by leaving the door open for the England job, during an interview on Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa.

"Leaving City? It's not true, I haven't decided yet," he said.

"And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it… I don't know either, anything can happen."

Guardiola would be the perfect fit for the candidate listed in the FA's job advertisement, posted in July.

It said the governing body wants a manager with "significant experience of English football, with a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions" as well as someone "experienced in successfully identifying, managing and developing English-qualified players".

Lee Carsley is currently in temporary charge of England (Image: Getty)

Guardiola is now priced at 5/1 by bet365 to become the next England boss, having been given odds of 9/1 by other bookmakers only earlier this week.

But the former Barcelona boss is not the only manager in the running for the role.

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is the current favourite at 8/15 and is said to be an 'attractive' candidate with the FA.

Interim manager Lee Carsley, who have overseen the national team since Southgate's departure, is priced at 4/1 to take the role on a permanent basis.

But The Times report that the former England U21 boss is 'not expected to remain in the running' for the senior role.

"Installing Carsley for the autumn Nations League programme initially offered breathing space, but last Thursday's defeat by Greece and Carsley's mixed messages about whether he sees himself continuing in the job, have accelerated the need to conclude the recruitment process," added the report.