Pep Guardiola straight-bats England question and says he is focused on Manchester City

Pep Guardiola says he is “completely focused” connected Manchester City contempt suggestions he is connected England’s wishlist to switch Gareth Southgate.

Guardiola is entering nan last twelvemonth of his statement astatine City and admitted aft their grounds 4th successive Premier League title successful May that he was “closer to leaving than staying”.

That has prompted suggestions England could beryllium tempted to hold until adjacent summertime to effort to name Guardiola, who has admitted antecedently to wanting a ace astatine world management, particularly arsenic qualifying for nan World Cup doesn’t commencement until March.

🗣️ “I’m really happy here”

Pep Guardiola insists he is only focused connected Manchester City aft being linked pinch nan vacant England head domiciled ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/o24zlUagGS

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 23, 2024

Asked astir his early up of City’s opening pre-season crippled against Celtic successful North Carolina, Guardiola said: “I americium really excited for this play that is coming.

“I americium really happy here. Like each play I needed a break decidedly but aft that I recharge my batteries and I person nan aforesaid power arsenic usual.

“I cognize nan title is coming and I americium wholly focused, I person respect for nan English federation and particularly for my club.”

A large play for Jack Grealish

While Guardiola whitethorn beryllium consenting to put England to nan backmost of his mind, nan aforesaid cannot beryllium said for Jack Grealish.

Grealish was near retired of nan squad for this summer’s European Championship and will beryllium wished to beryllium a constituent erstwhile City statesman nan defence of their Premier League title adjacent month.

The erstwhile Aston Villa man has been pictured undergoing individual sessions complete nan summertime and Guardiola is impressed by his guidance to nan England setback.

He said: “He’s really good, I deliberation he’s travel backmost cleanable and pinch nan aforesaid happiness and aforesaid unbelievable cognition pinch nan group.

“Hopefully he tin do a bully season, to push his mates, to merit a spot successful nan squad to play arsenic regularly for illustration it happened 2 seasons ago. Absolutely it depends connected him. All nan players it depends connected them, not connected my decisions.”