Pep Guardiola is aiming to rescue Manchester City’s season at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
City ended the regular 2024/25 season without a trophy as rivals Liverpool clinched the Premier League title and Guardiola lost out to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
It’s the first time City have failed to secure silverware since Guardiola’s first campaign in charge in 2016/17 and the Catalan coach is looking to put that right in the USA.
The financial rewards on offer are a key incentive for each side involved, but City – similarly to Real Madrid – are looking to use the competition as a springboard for the 2025/26 campaign.
Guardiola has committed his own future to the club, despite the ongoing speculation over the 115 charges of EPL financial rule breaches, with the former Barcelona boss signing an extension in November 2024.
That updated his previous agreement – which was due to run out this summer – up until June 2027, but the 54-year-old has already hinted at his plans for a new challenge after leaving the Etihad Stadium.
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“I would love to be a manager in a World Cup, in a Euro or a Copa America,” Guardiola said in an interview with Reuters.
“I have always thought about it. But it depends on many, many things. If it happens, it’s fine. If it doesn’t happen, it’s more than fine as well.”
Guardiola was heavily linked with the England national job – before penning a renewal in Manchester – with the FA eventually opting to bring Thomas Tuchel as Gareth Southgate’s replacement.
His usual plan of a break in between jobs could fit with taking charge of a national team, with the summer of 2027 not featuring an international tournament, leaving him free to pick up a new role after UEFA Euro 2028.
Tuchel’s contract with England only runs until 2026 and jobs could pop up with France, Germany and Italy – but a move to manage Spain appears unlikely for the former La Roja international.Â
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