Secret revealed: Pep should have been England boss, not Tuchel

One signature away. One change of heart. One of international football's biggest managerial appointments never happened.

For almost two years, the accepted belief was that England admired Pep Guardiola from afar but never came close to convincing him to take charge. According to a stunning report from The Athletic, that version of events is far from the truth.

The Manchester City boss had reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Football Association to become Gareth Southgate's successor after Euro 2024. England believed they had secured arguably the greatest club manager of his generation - until Guardiola changed his mind.

The Catalan was entering the final year of his Manchester City contract, making the timing perfect for the FA to make their move. Discussions were held discreetly, away from the spotlight, and progressed well beyond exploratory talks. While no contract had been signed, both parties were reportedly aligned on Guardiola becoming England's next manager.

Then came the twist.

"Why do you love me so much?" - Pep breaks down in emotional City farewell

Rather than leaving club football for his first international job, Guardiola decided he still had unfinished business at Manchester City. He committed his future to the then-Premier League champions by signing a new deal, ending England's hopes before the appointment could be formalised.

There is no indication the negotiations collapsed or that relations with the FA deteriorated. Instead, Guardiola simply chose continuity over a new challenge, convinced there was more to achieve at the Etihad.

His decision forced England to move quickly for an alternative. Thomas Tuchel became the FA's next target and was appointed in October 2024 before officially taking charge in January 2025. Reports published alongside The Athletic's revelation also claim Tuchel's deal included performance-related exit clauses, highlighting that his appointment was viewed differently from the long-term project England had envisaged under Guardiola.

Elite losing mentality & Tuchel's tactical suicide

Perhaps the most intriguing detail, however, is that Guardiola reportedly never lost interest in international management. The England role itself is said to have appealed to him because of the quality of the squad and the unique demands of tournament football. Ultimately, the timing - not the job itself - proved decisive.

Whether Guardiola eventually fulfils his ambition of coaching a national team remains unknown. Tuchel believes his job with the Three Lions is not yet done, but...