PEP TALK

PEP GUARDIOLA has given fans hope he will become England’s next manager after responding to links with the Three Lions hot seat.

The six-time Premier League winner is out of contract at Manchester City next summer.

Guardiola has so far refused to commit his future to the champions.

And there are already changes behind the scenes at the Etihad, with key ally Txiki Begiristain stepping down from his role as director of football after the Club World Cup.

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in talks with the FA about replacing interim England gaffer Lee Carsley.

While the likes of Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are also thought to be strong candidates

But it’s reckoned big-wigs dream of luring Guardiola to Wembley at the end of the season.

And the Spaniard has now appeared to open the door by claiming “anything is possible.”

He said: “(Leaving City?) That’s not true, in the sense that I have to think about it.

“(England?) No, that’s not true. If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.”

Guardiola certainly has plenty of backing for the England role, with a recent Sun poll showing 90 per cent of Three Lions fans want him at the helm.

Star names including Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes have also declared their support for Pep.

And Manchester United legend Roy Keane became the latest football icon to back Guardiola for the job.

Speaking after the Three Lions’ 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday, he declared: “(Small pond of options?) It is but the most important thing is to get the right man, they (Tuchel, Potter, Howe) all have a chance.

“The FA have to go after the right guy, whoever that is. Whether finances play a part in it, if Carsley rules himself out and isn’t interested…

“That seems to be the noises coming out. The FA have to get busy and find the right man. Go for Pep. Go for the best. Pep’s contract is up in the summer.”

The FA could yet decide to stick with Carsley, who once again dismissed his chances of becoming Gareth Southgate’s permanent replacement before producing a U-turn moments later.

Speaking yesterday, he said: “People are always going to try and put their chips on one side.

“I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me.” — Sun.

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