Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future is still uncertain with his contract running out next summer and Brazil wanting to make him their next manager
Brazil are pushing to make Pep Guardiola their next manager. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have reportedly identified the Manchester City head coach as their preferred candidate for the role following Dorival Junior’s shaking start, having won just four of his opening 10 matches since taking over in January.
According to The Athletic, Brazil have ‘called’ Guardiola several times this year about the possibility of leading the national football team. Guardiola was said to be annoyed when the CBF distanced themselves from appointing him after he left Barcelona, but it’s reported that does like the idea of managing Brazil.
Although Brazil are keen to get Guardiola on board, there is said to be confidence that he will stay at Manchester City for at least one more season, and instead work at managing a national team ahead of the 2030 World Cup. It’s added that Guardiola has not made up his mind but could end up staying at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola’s current contract expires at the end of the season and it was widely expected within the club that he would leave in 2025. But the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach could now stick put despite the fact City have lost their last three matches in all competitions, including Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Sporting CP.
Speaking after losing against Ruben Amorim’s Sporting, Guardiola hinted he is still very much up for the fight and determined to bring City more success. He said: “We knew it would be a tough season at the start, but this is what it is. I like it. I love it. I want to face it and lift my players. I won’t give up, that’s for sure.”
City’s defeat at Sporting was their third in a row. They lost 2-1 to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup before suffering the same fate against Bournemouth in the Premier League. It’s been a difficult run of form for City, but they still remain second in the top flight and in a comfortable position in the new Champions League format.
Next up for City is a Premier League clash away at Brighton on Saturday. After that, Guardiola’s side will have a two-week break from domestic fixtures due to the international break before entering a hectic schedule, which contains no fewer than 10 matches within a six-week spell ahead of the New Year.
