Pep Guardiola has spoken of his ‘dream’ of managing in international football one day – but claims it is unlikely to be with Spain.
The Manchester City boss won 47 caps for Spain as a player and captained the country to gold medal success at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
He has since become one of the most decorated club managers in the game, winning 27 trophies during spells in charge of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
The 47-year-old is committed to City until 2021 having agreed a contract extension during the summer but, long term, taking charge of a national side in a major tournament appeals.
Yet when asked if that could be Spain, Guardiola dismissed the suggestion.
“I think that is not going to happen,” he said, speaking at a press conference to preview City’s Premier League clash with Fulham this weekend.
He did not elaborate on why, although in the past Guardiola has made no secret of the fact he is a proud Catalan. Last season he was fined by the Football Association for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians.
Speaking generally about international management, Guardiola, who was linked with the Argentina job in the summer, said: “In our lives we have dreams of what we’d like to do in the future, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
“I would like to play a World Cup and a European Championship. I would like to live that situation. When I see the World Cup, I think I would like to be there. I had just one chance to do it as a player.
“In eight, 12, 14 years maybe it could happen. It’s just a dream I have as a manager and a person. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t.”
