Alan Shearer tells Gary Lineker 'rumour' he's heard about Pep Guardiola and the England job

 

Lee Carlsey has recently taken interim charge of the Three Lions as the FA bide their time over a longer-term hire.

Alan Shearer revealed what he has told about the prospect of Pep Guardiola succeeding Gareth Southgate as England manager during the latest episode of The Rest Is Football with Gary Lineker.

Southgate stepped down from his post after the Three Lions suffered heartache at Euro 2024, losing out in the final against Spain thanks to a late Mikel Oyarzabal winner.

Since then, Lee Carsley has taken over on an interim basis, tasked with guiding the side through the upcoming Nations League fixtures in the autumn.

Plenty of high-profile names have been linked with the current vacancy, including Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.

But one that continues to be mooted is that of Manchester City boss Guardiola.

Lineker believes that England would be willing to wait for the Spaniard if he decides to call time on his spell at the Etihad Stadium.

“I did see an interview a few days ago with Pep Guardiola where he was asked in a press conference if he would be interested in England,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“And, you know, mostly people put that away, but he certainly didn’t.

“And it made me think the way he was talking; I thought he actually might be interested in this job.

“And the fact that they’ve appointed [Lee] Carsley as an interim coach and the fact Pep’s contract ends at the end of the season… however, I’m maybe having a little bit of wishful thinking here!”

Fellow panellist Alan Shearer also agreed with the sentiment, adding how he believes the FA will wait patiently to find the right man for the job.

“There are a few people or a couple of people that have actually said that to me, but I don’t know, maybe it’s just a rumour, but hey, you never know, which is why I think it’s a wise decision for them to give it to Carsley and just take their time and see what happens,” the former Newcastle forward claimed.

 

Pep Guardiola is in contention for the England job. (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola is in contention for the England job. (Image: Getty)

“I mean, they’ve got a game in a month’s time, less?

“So I think it would have been really difficult to appoint someone in that short amount of time.”

Guardiola himself has sparked rumours of an exit from Manchester City and was asked at a recent press conference whether he wants to explore other avenues.

“I have to decide what I want to do in my life,” he said.

“If I want to continue here, take a break, train national teams or not – many things.”