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Pep Guardiola: I Want to Manage in International Football 'Sooner or Later'
November 22, 2018
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed his ambition to manage a national team at some point in his career.
Per the Telegraph, Guardiola was the keynote speaker at the Peers Annual Lecture at Liverpool University's Department of Modern Languages and Cultures on Wednesday.
When asked about the aspirations he has yet to fulfil in his career, he said:
"I would like to be an international manager in a national team.
"Sooner or later, it will happen because every three days I would like to be involved, but a little bit more calm, play more golf...now I do not have time to play.
"So yes, sooner or later it is going to happen, if I have a chance and some international team wants to come 'knock knock' [at my door]. We will see."
Guardiola began his senior coaching career in 2008, when he took over as manager of the club with whom he spent most of his playing days, Barcelona.
In four seasons with the Blaugrana, three seasons with Bayern Munich—having taken a sabbatical before his arrival in Germany—and two full campaigns with City, he has won eight league titles, five domestic cups and the UEFA Champions League twice, among other honours.
Throughout his career, the 47-year-old has had his sides dominate possession and move the ball quickly as they push forward in attack.
It has proved to be a highly rewarding approach, and his City team demonstrated the benefits of employing it last season, waltzing to the Premier League title in style:
Guardiola's methods make the most of his players' technical ability and intelligence, and as a result, they consistently prove their superiority over lesser teams, with one-sided scorelines a common sight:
When out of possession, Guardiola likes his teams to press high up the pitch to win back the ball, which often nullifies opponents' ability to launch counter-attacks.
The Spaniard's work has played a part in revolutionising modern coaching, and his influence can be seen in many other teams and coaches across the Premier League and Europe.
International football is a different beast to club football in many ways, though, and it would be fascinating to see whether Guardiola's meticulous attention to detail and intensity would translate his ideas to his players as effectively when he is spending less time on the training ground with them.
Spain would perhaps be the most natural fit for him given their players are already technically gifted and a number have played for or come up through the ranks at Barcelona.
They would by no means be the only option if Guardiola does make the transition, though, as there will be no shortage of takers hoping he can bring his success at club level on to the international stage.