Pep Guardiola’s Future: Could the United States Be His Next Coaching Destination?

Pep Guardiola’s next coaching move could involve international football, with the United States reportedly considering the former Manchester City manager as a potential successor to Mauricio Pochettino.

According to the report attributed to The Athletic, Guardiola is high on US Soccer’s list should its head coaching position become available. However, the federation’s interest does not mean the Spanish coach is ready to return to the sidelines.

His willingness to end his break remains the central question surrounding any potential approach.

Guardiola’s Decision Will Shape His Next Move

Following his departure from Manchester City in the summer, Guardiola has reportedly shown little urgency to accept another managerial position.

The same account suggests he turned down an approach from Italy before the national team opted to bring back Roberto Mancini. That would indicate that securing Guardiola’s signature requires more than offering a prestigious job.

For US Soccer, the first challenge would be establishing whether he wants to coach again soon—and whether international management appeals to him at this stage of his career.

There is currently no confirmed agreement or indication that an appointment is imminent.

Why the USMNT Could Offer a Different Challenge

Taking charge of the United States men’s national team would represent a significant change for Guardiola after his club coaching career in Spain, Germany and England.

International management offers less daily training time and requires coaches to prepare players during limited windows. Building a clear playing identity under those conditions would present a different challenge from managing a club throughout a full season.

Guardiola’s tactical reputation and international experience help explain the reported interest. Whether those qualities could translate into a successful national-team project would depend on his approach, the available players and the time needed to implement his ideas.

For now, that remains a potential scenario rather than an established career plan.

Pochettino’s Situation Could Determine Whether the Job Opens

Any move for Guardiola would first depend on Mauricio Pochettino leaving his position.

The report links Pochettino with Manchester United as a possible replacement for Michael Carrick, with a departure potentially coming after the two CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti.

Until that situation is resolved, the US coaching position cannot be treated as an confirmed vacancy. Pochettino’s future and Guardiola’s intentions remain separate developments, both of which would need to align before a transition became realistic.

A Longstanding Interest in Guardiola

The reported connection between Guardiola and US Soccer stretches back several years.

The account describes contact during his sabbatical in New York after leaving Barcelona, along with further interest at later stages. That history would make the latest speculation a renewed pursuit rather than an entirely new idea.

Nevertheless, previous interest offers no guarantee of a future appointment.

Guardiola’s future ultimately rests on whether he wants to return—and which challenge he considers worth accepting. The United States could offer a new direction, but turning that possibility into a concrete appointment would require a decision from the coach himself.