Pep Guardiola sets timeline on England decision as FA 'sound him out' over vacant role
Pep Guardiola has been reportedly sounded out over the England job and will make a decision in the coming weeks.
The Manchester City coach will see his contract expire at the end of the season at the Etihad.
There has so far been no progression over talks on an extension, though it has not been ruled out that he will stay at City further.
However, the FA are desperate to entice Guardiola to enter the world of international management.
Pep Guardiola
According to The Times, the FA approached Guardiola at the start of the season which, though informal, has since seen the Catalan coach become the preferred option to succeed Gareth Southgate.
Furthermore, Guardiola is preparing an answer in the coming weeks.
It comes as the likelihood of Lee Carsley staying in the role becomes unlikelier by the day.
England have won three games out of four under the 50-year-old's reign, since he stepped up from the Under-21s following Southgate's resignation in the summer.
However, Carsley appears to have talked himself out of the role after making odd comments over his suitability for the role.
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While Guardiola appears to be the frontrunner, no decision has been made on who should become the next England manager.
Several other candidates are reported to be on the shortlist including Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel.
Guardiola has always remained coy over his future at City, where he has been for the last eight years.
Pep Guardiola will see his contract at Man City expire at the end of the season
PA
On Italian TV show show Che Tempo Che Fa, he replied to questions over whether he had decided on being the next England boss by saying: "It's not true. I'm Manchester City manager.
"I've not decided anything, everything can happen. So I don't know. I still need to reflect and decide what I want to do."
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend and ITV pundit Roy Keane has insisted that Guardiola is the perfect man for the job.
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Lee Carsley is currently in interim charge of England
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"Go after Pep [Guardiola], go for the best. Pep's contract is up the summer," he said.
"The FA have to go for the best guy, I don't know if finances will play a part in it.
"If Lee (Carsley) obviously rules himself out, and he's not interested, and that seems to be the noises coming out, then the FA better get busy and get the right man."