A report from The Mirror has stated that the Netherlands Football Association, KNVB, is courting Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola about taking over the role of manager when his contract at Manchester City runs out.
The City boss harbours dreams of coaching on the international stage and it is believed he will begin to pursue this dream after his contract at City runs out.
Managing Spain is out of the question because Guardiola is a staunch supporter of Catalan independence. The Spaniard is also interested in South American football and has previously been approached by Lionel Messi’s Argentina who tried to tempt him away with the possibility of reuniting with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The 51-year-old former Barcelona manager will be free from all City responsibilities in 2023 but the hierarchy at the Etihad is working to convince Guardiola to extend his contract beyond that time. However, the KNVB are also drawing up plans to convince the Spaniard to “bring total football home” as the Netherlands national team coach.
The Mirror reports also that the KNVB have been in touch with Guardiola, who played and learnt under Dutch icon Johan Cruyff, about the position as head of their national team since before his contract extension at City which will keep him at the club until 2023.
The Dutch FA were told that the league leaders’ boss had unfinished business at the Etihad – which many speculate to be the UEFA Champions League – but were not outrightly dismissed which opens the possibility to a future link up.
Another thing that tips the scales in the favour of the KNVB is that Guardiola’s agent, his brother Pere, recently joined forces with one of the biggest Dutch football agencies SEG.
Guardiola beats Ferguson to Premier League record
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola achieved a milestone in the Premier League after his draw away to Southampton on Saturday.
Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s stadium by Southampton to end their winning run at 12 matches and start their unbeaten run in the 13th game.
The single point earned by City saw Guardiola become the fastest manager to win 500 points in the Premier League, a feat the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager reached in 213 games in charge of City.
That makes him the fastest manager to achieve the record, beating Jose Mourinho (231), Jurgen Klopp (236), Sir Alex Ferguson (242), Arsene Wenger (249) and Rafa Benitez (267).
Guardiola, who is currently on track to his fourth Premier League title in his six years at Manchester City, claims that the tough draw at Southampton shows that City’s successes should not be taken for granted.
“That’s why it [Premier League] is the hardest prize to achieve every season, the most important one,” he said after the game.
“It’s so difficult, with different contenders, everyone is ready. We are the reigning champions, we have won a lot in the past, and it’s not so funny for the rest, so it’s more difficult to win and win.
“That’s why making back-to-back titles in the last 12, 13 years has happened only once, which was ourselves, and now we’re trying to do it again.
“We know how difficult it is and I don’t need to win, draw or lose today to know that we still have a lot of games to play. What we have to do is try to behave and play the way we played today.
“Even winning today, the title race would not be over. In January, no one is champion, there are many games that must be played.”
