The Athletic FC Podcast: Would Guardiola Manage England?
Release Date: October 14, 2024
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Ollie Kay (Senior Football Writer), Sam Lee (Manchester City Writer)
Episode Title: Would Guardiola Manage England?
Introduction
In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Ayo Akinwolere delves into the intriguing possibility of Pep Guardiola, the acclaimed manager of Manchester City, taking the helm of the England national football team. With Guardiola's contract at Manchester City set to expire at the end of the season and the Football Association (FA) yet to announce a permanent successor for Gareth Southgate, the discussion explores whether Guardiola is a viable and desirable candidate for England’s top managerial position.
FA's Search for England's Next Manager
Current Landscape
The FA's search for a new England manager has been shrouded in uncertainty. Ollie Kay highlights the shifting dynamics:
"The big question really from the last few days is not so much the results on the pitch, it's the question of who the next permanent England manager is going to be. And it feels like we're actually further away from an answer than we probably thought we were a week ago."
[03:17] – Ollie Kay
Lee Carsley's Prospects
Lee Carsley, the interim manager, has struggled to secure the position. Despite initial positive results, recent performances have undermined his candidacy:
"The FA keeping it very much under wraps. It might be that we will just have to wait and see what emerges from that process before we know who the permanent manager who takes England to the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign will be."
[03:58] – Ollie Kay
Guardiola's Interest and Suitability for England
Guardiola’s Aspirations
Sam Lee references a previous piece by Tim Spears discussing Guardiola's potential interest in managing England:
"In 2021, Guardiola was quoted saying, 'the next step will be a national team. If the opportunity presents itself, I would like to coach in a European Championship, a Copa America, a World Cup.'"
[06:48] – Ayo Akinwolere
Potential Fit for England
Hannah Berner elaborates on why England could be an attractive destination for Guardiola:
"The Premier League, which is this kind of multicultural style of just kind of copying whatever works elsewhere, so it seems like a logical step for England. And I do feel like if Guardiola wants to go and work at a national team next, there's not too many options."
[07:11] – Hannah Berner
Structural Compatibility
The multicultural and dynamic nature of the Premier League aligns well with Guardiola's managerial ethos, potentially making the transition to international management smoother for him.
Desirability and Financial Considerations
The England Managerial Position
Paige Desorbo discusses the historical perception of the England manager role:
"Between the 2010 World Cup and the 2018 World Cup, I don't think it was a desirable job at all. It became just this idea of the impossible job."
[09:43] – Paige Desorbo
Financial Implications
The financial aspect is a significant factor in Guardiola's decision-making:
"With Guardiola, his wages are way, way, way beyond that [£5 million/year]. Could the FA justify paying that? I don't know."
[09:43] – Paige Desorbo
Hannah Berner adds:
"How much do you reckon that will have an impact on whether or not Guardiola stays or any sort of succession planning, actually, in fact, because we still don't obviously know what the outcome of that case looks like."
[33:01] – Ayo Akinwolere
Balancing Prestige and Compensation
While the role of England manager carries immense prestige, the FA must balance this against the financial demands of enticing a top-tier manager like Guardiola, whose current compensation far exceeds what the FA typically offers.
Manchester City's Contingency Planning
Succession Strategies
Sam Lee and Ollie Kay discuss Manchester City's preparations for Guardiola's potential departure:
"What are the Manchester City planning for life without him? They must be thinking about this might not be the future with Guardiola."
[28:28] – Ayo Akinwolere
Potential Successors
Numerous names have surfaced, but finding a successor who matches Guardiola's genius remains a challenge:
"There's no candidate that jumps out. It's the same with City. It's the same."
[29:00] – Hannah Berner
Maintaining Stability
Manchester City’s robust club structure may provide a smoother transition compared to other clubs, despite the difficulty in replacing such an iconic manager.
Comparisons with Past Managerial Transitions
Lessons from Manchester United and Arsenal
The panel draws parallels with how other clubs have managed transitions from legendary managers:
"Manchester United have shown how not to do it... Manchester City are built on stronger foundations... they are built on firmer foundations in terms of the structures within the club, the expertise within the club."
[35:30] – Paige Desorbo
Guardiola’s Unique Position
Unlike Alex Ferguson or Arsène Wenger, Guardiola hasn't positioned himself as an "all-powerful figure," which may influence the ease or difficulty of his potential transition to the England role.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a contemplation of the multifaceted factors influencing whether Pep Guardiola could or should manage the England national team. From FA’s search dynamics and Guardiola’s personal aspirations to the financial implications and Manchester City’s contingency planning, the discussion underscores the complexity of such a high-profile managerial move. While the allure of leading England is undeniable, substantial hurdles remain, particularly in aligning financial incentives and ensuring a seamless transition both for Guardiola and the national team.
Notable Quotes
- Ollie Kay [03:17]: "The big question really from the last few days is not so much the results on the pitch, it's the question of who the next permanent England manager is going to be."
- Hannah Berner [07:11]: "It seems like a logical step for England."
- Paige Desorbo [09:43]: "Could the FA justify paying that? I don't know."
- Sam Lee [28:28]: "They are built on firmer foundations in terms of the structures within the club."
This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the potential pathways and obstacles in Guardiola’s possible transition to managing England, offering listeners deep insights into the intricacies of football management at the highest level.