Former Manchester City title-winning captain Fernandinho has tipped Pep Guardiola to move into international management soon and believes England could be the perfect fit for his coaching style.
Fernandinho departed City two-years ago after nine seasons at the reigning English champions where he won five Premier League titles, six League Cups and a solitary FA Cup.
The Brazilian enjoyed a career-best spell during Guardiola’s reign at the Etihad and has revealed what national team the Spaniard is most likely to take over at in the future.
Speaking to ESPN Brazil in February, Guardiola said: ‘A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.
Fernandinho has tipped Pep Guardiola to move into international management within the next decade
Fernandinho believes Guardiola could choose to manage England in the future
The former Manchester City captain previously enjoyed a career-best spell under Guardiola
‘I don’t know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club,’ he added.
Guardiola is widely-regarded as one of football’s greatest-ever managers after celebrating unrivalled success at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City.
He is currently attempting to lead City to a record-breaking fourth-consecutive Premier League title after winning the Treble last year.
National teams would likely clamour for his signature, but Fernandinho believes it would come down to a choice between England, Brazil and the Netherlands.
He denied the chances of Guardiola taking over his native Spain due to his support of Catalonia’s demand for independence.
Guardiola is currently attempting to lead Man City to a fourth-consecutive Premier League title
Fernandinho doesn’t believe Guardiola would want to manage his native country Spain
Commenting on Guardiola’s future move, Fernandinho told the Denilson Show: ‘It’s hard to say Brazil starts in the lead. Very difficult to know.
‘There’s a chance [he could coach Brazil], but I think there are other teams on par to possibly have [Pep] Guardiola as a coach in the future.
‘No, I don’t think Spain. The Catalonia/Spain issue, you know how it is… I would believe in England, where he is, knows the players and everything, and maybe Netherlands… His father in football, who is he? (Johann Cruyff)’
‘I think we have to think outside the box… Style of play, it will depend on several things. I would guess that by 2030, the 2030 cycle (for the FIFA World Cup). In other words, by 2026, he would be with a national team.’
