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Friday, 2 October 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
Pep Guardiola’s potential appointment as England manager is considered over following Manchester City’s financial verdict, according to Guillem Balague.
The historic ruling against Manchester City has extended beyond financial penalties, effectively ending the long-held ambition of Pep Guardiola managing the England national team. The decision closes the door permanently on the possibility of the Catalan coach taking charge of the Three Lions.
Guillem Balague, a prominent Spanish journalist and author of the biography "Pep Guardiola: Another Way to Win," stated that the recent financial scandal has extinguished any prospect of Guardiola assuming the role of England head coach. Balague emphasized that the position was highly attractive to Guardiola, noting that an oral agreement had been reached in 2024 for him to take the job.
However, the manager reversed his decision at the last moment, choosing to remain at Manchester City and renew his contract. This shift prompted the Football Association to pivot to Thomas Tuchel as their alternative candidate.
In remarks made to talkSPORT, Balague highlighted the timeline of events. He noted that Guardiola kept the FA waiting for two months while they determined if he wanted the England post. Instead of accepting, Guardiola stayed with City, signed a new deal, and the FA subsequently moved toward Tuchel.
"In my opinion, Guardiola was always a candidate after Tuchel's departure," Balague said. He added that the FA would likely not want to appoint someone who causes division within the football world—or specifically within England—as Guardiola now does. This stance remains unchanged regardless of the investigation's consequences or legal outcomes.
Balague suggested that while many care about Guardiola's legacy, he viewed the England job as a very good opportunity. Despite no evidence indicating Guardiola knew about the more than 100 charges against City between 2009 and 2018, his public support for the club placed him under intense scrutiny from fans.
Manchester City maintains its innocence and has filed an official appeal against the verdict. Guardiola addressed supporters via social media in an emotional message, stating, "I want every Manchester City fan around the world to know that I am here—more than ever."
He affirmed his continuous support for his club, owner, chairman, players, staff, Enzo, and the distinctive fans. "Let me assure you: we will overcome this ordeal together, I love you all," he wrote.
Balague argued that this absolute loyalty, displayed while City faces allegations of using fictitious contracts to inflate revenue by over £900 million, created a deep rift between Guardiola and English football public opinion. This divide may have permanently ended his dream of working at St George's Park.
