Guardiola calls on England to follow in City’s footsteps

London (AFP)

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, coach of Manchester City, has nominated the England national football team to compete for the European Cup 2024 title next summer in Germany, if it follows in the footsteps of his team, which has dominated the English Premier League in recent years.
After several close attempts, Guardiola led his team to the Champions League title last season for the first time in its history.
The former Spanish Barcelona and German Bayern Munich coach feels that coach Gareth Southgate can do the same thing with the “Three Lions” team, after several close attempts at the continental and international levels.
He reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia 2018, and the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022, and was very close to winning the European Cup title for the first time in its history (summer 2021), but lost on penalties to Italy in the final.
“They are really good,” Guardiola said. “It’s not just about the talent of the attackers, it’s about the entire squad, and Gareth knows exactly what he likes to do.”
He added, “I feel, and everyone has this feeling, that the English team, due to recent events, the World Cup and the European Cup, is progressing and it is really close. They lost a final and semi-final match.”
The exceptional coach said, “When you reach these stages every two years, it will happen in the end. It is almost the same as us. We were very close, and in the end we lifted the title.”
Guardiola believed that the English passion for the game, which often put the players under pressure, would be a positive factor this time. “I see the reaction when they play in the European Cup, or the World Cup. People go crazy in the streets. They go crazy for the national team.”
He added, “This confirms how proud they are, and in the end, as a football player, this is the best. Your country is proud of what you are doing and the way you are playing as you reach the advanced stages. Just believe in that, if they believe they can do it.”
City striker Phil Foden may play a major role in Southgate’s squad that competes in the continental finals in a group that includes Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, after a good season with his club.
The 23-year-old, who scored 24 goals this season, was chosen as the best player of the season by the Sports Journalists Association, ahead of his competitors, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and his City teammate, Spanish international Rodri.
Guardiola believed that Foden, who grew up in the age groups of the Blue Club to stand out among its most important players, might become one of the most prominent players in the club’s history. “This club has a long history, and I believe that the club has included very wonderful players over the years.”
He added, “I feel that if he ends his career here and continues at the same level, he can become the best, for sure.”