Guardiola offered chance to coach the Netherlands

Despite Saturday’s draw at Southampton, Manchester City remain comfortably top of the Premier League table and Pep Guardiola is still on track to win what would be his fourth English league title. After his success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola has added to his legacy with what he has achieved in England, but now he is looking for his next challenge.

The Catalan coach’s contract expires at the end of the 2022/23 season and he is not expected to stay at the Etihad, even if Manchester City directors are still trying to persuade him to continue.

Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City after one more season, but it’s not clear if he’ll move straight into another coaching job or take a sabbatical, like he did in 2012/13.

One option being mentioned is a move into international coaching and The Sun are reporting that the Netherlands job will be offered to the 51-year-old. Louis van Gaal is currently in charge of the Oranje, but should step aside at the end of the World Cup in Qatar in December. Then, with Guardiola becoming free six months after that, he could be the man to lead a new era in Dutch football.

Trending

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

What are the most expensive transfers of all time? The 50 highest fees in history

Guardiola’s dream of coaching a national team

Guardiola has already spoken about the idea of taking over a national team once he is done at Manchester City, as he seeks a new and stimulating challenge.

Speaking at the Brazilian conference XP Investimentos in August of 2021, he said: "The next step will be to coach a national team, if there is the opportunity. If there is a chance to coach a national team then I think I'd like that. I'd like to coach at a European Championship or Copa America or World Cup. I'd like to experience that."

He has, however, stated that he’d like to take a break after his Manchester City contract expires. Moving straight from the Sky Blues to the Netherlands dugout might not be possible, therefore, but the Dutch FA will try to convince him to join at some point in the near future.