FA come up with plan in bid to bring in Pep Guardiola as England manager to replace Gareth Southgate

Work is underway to appoint a new England manager after Gareth Southgate stepped down following the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. The likes of Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley have been mentioned but a star name is also in the mix. According to The Independent, England's governing body the Football Association (FA) are willing to wait and see whether Guardiola leaves Manchester City in 2025 before appointing a permanent successor to Southgate. There's even the suggestion an interim manager could be appointed in the meantime. The Spaniard is entering the final year of his contract and has hinted he may depart at the end of 2024-25.

Should the FA decide to put a halt on a permanent appointment while they monitor Guardiola's situation, they will need to appoint an interim manager for England's games up until next summer. Carsley is currently in charge of the Under-21s but would be the heavy favourite to step up, even if it was on a temporary basis.

Guardiola is one of, if not the most successful manager in the modern era. The 53-year-old is a six-time Premier League winner, leading Manchester City to the title in each of the last five years. He has also lifted the Champions League three times.

For the next 10 months, Guardiola's focus will be on his club and trying to compete on all fronts, as City usually do. England will wait with bated breath to see if the seasoned tactician has any interest in taking up international management in the near future.