Pep Guardiola plans move into international management after Manchester City

PEP GUARDIOLA has cast doubt on his long-term Manchester City future after claiming international management would be his ‘dream’ job.

The Spaniard, who led City to a record 100 points in their 2017-18 Premier League title win, now has 24 trophies in 11 years as a club manager and may now seek success on the global stage.

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Speaking to HLN in Belgium, he said: “Doesn’t every successful coach dream of training a national team?

“I want to be at a World Cup or European Championship once again, yes.

“For now, I want to stay where I am. But if someone makes me an offer in the future, I’m still young.”

Guardiola, 47, went to just two international tournament as a player, the 1994 World Cup in the US and Euro 2002 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

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The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager joined City in 2016, and signed a new contract extension until 2021 at the end of the 2017-18 season, when his side won the League Cup as well as the Premier League.

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As for where Guardiola may bless with his golden managerial touch, he has previously stated a belief that only those born in a certain country should take charge of their national teams.

He said last October: “Always I believe that English people have to be manager for the national team.

“The Brazilian people have to be manager for the Brazilian team.”

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While giving no indication he would break his own deal at the Etihad, Guardiola may have his sights set on 2020, when current Spain coach Julen Lopetegui’s contract expires.

That would give him two years to make his mark on the national side before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Guardiola did make seven unofficial appearances for Catalonia during his career as a player, and it remains to be seen whether he would consider managing their national side should independence from Spain be achieved.

A prominent backer of the separatist movement, he was fined £20,000 by the FA for wearing a ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalonian leaders in March.