Pep Guardiola Eyed as Potential Spain Boss by Current Coach Vicente del Bosque

Vicente del Bosque believes Pep Guardiola has the right qualities to one day take over as manager of Spain.

Del Bosque, the current manager of the 2010 World Cup winners, named Guardiola in a discussion of potential bosses who might eventually succeed him with the national team, as noted by Spanish publication Sport.

Skirting the issue of Guardiola's Catalan ties, cemented by his support for a pro-independence party in recent Catalonia elections, Del Bosque believes the one-time Barcelona chief fits the profile, telling Cadena Cope: "He's an excellent coach. He has qualities that would let him be an international manager."

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Currently in charge at Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich, the report also states how Guardiola still hasn't committed his future to the German side beyond this season.

In fact, certain reports suggest Guardiola's next destination could well be a stint in England's Premier League. Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro's Mark Brus), reports Guardiola has held "informal talks" with Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain about taking over the Citizens next season.

But that report conflicts with suggestions from German paper Bild (h/t Charlie Phillippe of the Daily Express) that Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer has pleaded with Guardiola to extend his stay in Munich: “In the Bible it says: What belongs together, should not be separated. I told him that I would be happy if he stays. We simply fit together."

Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

Guardiola's managerial career so far has been defined by excellence at the club level. Yet he remains an intriguing potential option for the national side. His fidelity to attractive, possession-based football certainly suits the technical quality of the players Spain has produced throughout the last decade.

If anything, the highly successful national side that won three straight international tournaments from 2008-12 took its cue from Guardiola's Barcelona. His team turned so-called "tiki-taka" passing into an art form, claiming every major honour the game had to offer in the process, including two UEFA Champions League trophies.

Del Bosque trod a similar path before taking the reins for Spain. His resume included two European Cups won with Real Madrid. They served as ideal preparation for managing his country.

As successors go, the Spanish FA won't find a better one for Del Bosque than Guardiola.