Agent reveals major negotiations for Pep Guardiola to become Brazil head coach | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola held talks to become Brazil’s head coach in 2014, a prominent agent has revealed.

The 53-year-old is preparing to begin his ninth campaign as manager of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, with the potential for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign to be Guardiola’s last in east Manchester, as the Catalan is out of contract at the club at the end of next season.

Guardiola, who became Manchester City head coach in 2016 following previous management spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, clinched his 17th major trophy with the Sky Blues in May, winning a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Manchester City have won six Premier League titles in seven years, and also lifted the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super during the recent campaign, winning three trophies off the back of a treble-winning 2022/23 season.

Guardiola guided the Blues to a landmark treble last year, becoming the first English side since 1999 to win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Emirates FA Cup.

The Catalan coach has signed three previous contract extensions at the Etihad Stadium, and has taken charge of over 470 matches since swapping the Bundesliga for the Premier League in 2016.

The 53-year-old succeeded Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, and has registered 343 wins and overseen 1,164 goals since his maiden campaign in England, which started with a 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Guardiola’s management career could have taken a different path following his departure from Barcelona however, with an agent revealing that the Spaniard was in negotiations to become Brazil’s head coach in 2014.

“We had Guardiola practically locked up. He wanted to come, he was on a sabbatical year, but to come to the Brazilian national team, for you to understand the greatness of the national team, he would come,” agent André Cury told CNN Brazil.

“I think it was a lack of preparation on the part of the leaders, because you have a unique opportunity in life, and you reject it, I think it can only be a lack of preparation.”

Guardiola could consider international management following his Manchester City career, with the potential for the City boss to depart the Etihad Stadium next summer and pursue a national job ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.