England ‘contact Pep Guardiola about becoming next manager’

PEP GUARDIOLA has sensationally been sounded out over the vacant England job, it's been claimed.

The Football Association are on the lookout for a permanent successor for Gareth Southgate, who left the role in July after the Three Lions' heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

Manchester City boss Guardiola is understood to be on the FA's shortlist of candidates to replace the recently departed Southgate.

SunSport understands Eddie Howe and the out-of-work Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel are also on the FA's list.

And it's claimed they've made overtures to appoint Spaniard Guardiola as the national team's new gaffer.

That's according to The Times, who claims the FA made "informal contact" with Guardiola's representatives over the role earlier this season.

FA chiefs are said to see the 53-year-old as the "standout" candidate to take charge of the team, who are under the temporary leadership of Lee Carsley.

Guardiola, however, has yet to respond to the FA's attempts to gauge his interest in becoming only the 20th man to manage England.

The future of the former Barcelona boss - who guided City to an unprecedented FOURTH-STRAIGHT Premier League title last season - is currently up in the air.

His existing contract with City expires at the end of the season and he's yet to commit his future to the champions.

Guardiola did, however, suggest in the summer that he could pen a NEW contract at the Etihad.

But he's also sensationally opened the door to taking the Wembley hot seat, insisting "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.”

Interim Three Lions boss Carsley has guided the team to three wins and a shock loss to Greece during his brief tenure.

But he has left fans confused over whether he actually wants the job going forward.

The England interim boss raised eyebrows when he mentioned that he would "hopefully" return to his role as Under-21s manager on the back of England's 2-1 defeat to Greece last week.

Then, following the 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday, Carsley urged the FA to appoint a "world-class" manager to replace Gareth Southgate, before adding that he hasn't ruled himself out.

Carsley said: "I have been doing the Under-21s and I am really happy with my job.

"I am an employee of the FA and I was asked to take the senior team which is a privilege, it was the proudest moment of my career.

"I am really honoured with the chance to manage the senior team.

"I am in a really fortunate position in that I am on the inside and I can see how much potential this team’s got.

"It is one of the best jobs in world football. There aren’t many jobs where you’ve got a chance of winning.

"I believe the coach that comes in has got a really good chance of winning and we deserve the best one that’s out there."