Pep Guardiola backed to extend Manchester City stay as ‘massive coincidence’ dismissed

Pep Guardiola is firmly in the running to become the new England boss to replace Gareth Southgate but the Man City head coach has been backed to perform a sensational u-turn

Pep Guardiola will snub the chance to become England boss to stay with Manchester City, according to Steph Houghton.

The Spaniard has been identified as a candidate to replace Gareth Southgate at the helm. The FA have already contacted Guardiola regarding the chance to take over.

He has just under a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, with some suggesting that he could follow outgoing sporting director Txiki Begiristain out of the exit door. But former City and England captain Houghton does not believe that will be the case, and can even see Guardiola putting pen to paper on a new contract with the club.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club, she said: “Pep has been thrown into this mix of potential England managers because the sporting director is going and there’s been the narrative that Guardiola will leave with him at the end of the season. I personally think Guardiola will stay at City.”

Asked if Begiristain’s exit could come into Guardiola’s thinking, Houghton replied: “I just think it is just a massive coincidence as he has been trying to retire for a long time now.”

Guardiola has already spoken out on the chance to become the next England boss should his spell with City come to an end within the year. Speaking on Italian TV, he said : “I haven’t finished my career at Manchester City yet, I still have to think about it.”

Guardiola added: “It’s not true that I’ll be the England coach. I haven’t decided anything yet, if I had decided my future at Manchester City I would say so, anything can happen in life.”

While the Man City boss is a bona fide candidate to take the role, he is not the only one in the running. Thomas Tuchel is the frontrunner as it stands after talks with The FA, while Graham Potter has long been admired.

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Current interim boss Lee Carsley has also spoken out on claiming the job on a permanent basis. He had previously claimed he was hoping to return to his role with the Three Lions’ under-21 set-up but has since backtracked on those comments.

Speaking after the defeat to Greece in the most recent international break, Carsley said: “I keep saying the same thing. My remit was six games and I’m happy with that.

“This is a privileged position. Really enjoying it but I didn’t enjoy the last two days. I’m not used to losing in an England team, I don’t take losing well.

“People are always going to try and put their chips on one side. I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach that has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”

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