PEP GUARDIOLA has given fans hope he will become England’s next manager after responding to links with the Three Lions hot seat.
The six-time Premier League winner is out of contract at Manchester City next summer.
Guardiola has so far refused to commit his future to the champions.
And there are already changes behind the scenes at the Etihad, with key ally Txiki Begiristain stepping down from his role as director of football after the Club World Cup.
Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in talks with the FA about replacing interim England gaffer Lee Carsley.
While the likes of Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are also thought to be strong candidates.
But it’s reckoned big-wigs dream of luring Guardiola to Wembley at the end of the season.
And the Spaniard has now appeared to open the door by claiming “anything is possible.”
He said: “(Leaving City?) That’s not true, in the sense that I have to think about it.
“(England?) No, that’s not true. If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.”
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Guardiola certainly has plenty of backing for the England role, with a recent Sun poll showing 90 per cent of Three Lions fans want him at the helm.
Star names including Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes have also declared their support for Pep.
Roy Keane has become the latest big name to back Guardiola[/caption]
And Manchester United legend Roy Keane became the latest football icon to back Guardiola for the job.
Speaking after the Three Lions’ 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday, he declared: “(Small pond of options?) It is but the most important thing is to get the right man, they (Tuchel, Potter, Howe) all have a chance.
“The FA have to go after the right guy, whoever that is. Whether finances play a part in it, if Carsley rules himself out and isn’t interested…
“That seems to be the noises coming out. The FA have to get busy and find the right man.
“Go for Pep. Go for the best. Pep’s contract is up in the summer.”
The FA could yet decide to stick with Carsley, who once again dismissed his chances of becoming Gareth Southgate’s permanent replacement before producing a U-turn moments later.
Speaking yesterday, he said: “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.
Lee Carsley simply doesn’t sound like an England manager
By Dave Kidd
After three months of uncertainty, it is now absolutely as clear as mud.
Does Lee Carsley want to be England’s permanent manager or not?
And why is he so reluctant to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to such a simple question?
Following a team selection which brought a welcome return to common sense — and an England victory which restored a certain amount of pride — came another chaotic round of post-match interviews in which Carsley contradicted himself several times.
And given that communication is such an important part of the England job, it does not help his cause when you feel as if you are disappearing down a rabbit hole every time you speak to Carsley.
He is a likeable man and a gifted coach — but he simply doesn’t sound like an England manager.
There simply isn’t enough authority or clarity about him.
At the age of 50, Carsley has never been the full-time manager of any senior football team and it shows.
That is irrespective of the tactical car crash of Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat by Greece.
“This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”
But Carsley then added: “(Role too soon?) Definitely not. I tried to make it as clear as I could.
“My remit was for three camps. I’m not part of the process but it deserves a top coach.
“The players we have available, we’ve got a real chance of winning. That was the point I was making.”
Carsley will need to start putting his case forward clearly if he does want the role as clamour grows for Guardiola.
Backing the Spaniard to take charge of England, Three Lions hero Rooney said: “I’d like Pep to be honest. I think England have to strive for the best managers and Pep would be great; the way he gets his team’s playing.”
He’s not the only England ace to support Guardiola, with Scholes saying: “I think somebody like, I don’t like to say it but Pep [Guardiola] with this group of players, I think he would get them over the line.
“Look if that’s possible I don’t know but I think he’d be the ideal man to take this team forward.”
Afterwards, Shearer said: “There are a couple of people who have actually said that [Guardiola being on the FA’s wishlist] to me, but maybe that’s just rumour. You never know…”
And Sheringham added: “I think the FA should be breaking the bank and going out and getting the best. And for me, that man is Pep Guardiola.”
