Pep Guardiola says 'sooner or later' as he refuses to rule out England job

PEP GUARDIOLA will not leave Manchester City hanging over his future — as he left the door open to becoming England boss.

Guardiola says part of him will leave the club when sidekick Txiki Begiristain quits in the summer.

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There are fears City’s serial Prem-winning manager wants to follow the sporting director — with his contract expiring at the end of this season.

Asked about signing a new deal, Guardiola said: “I want to be really, really, really convinced that it’s the best for the club.

“I will not delay every action knowing  I am creating a problem for the club.

“If I feel there’s a problem, I’ll take a decision as quick as possible. But I don’t have that feeling because they understand the reasons.

“A part of me is leaving. Txiki is a friend of mine — the architect who helped to create one of the best teams ever from Barcelona and now here.

“I’ve known his decision — for family and personal reasons — for a long time and he will be missed.

“I’m pretty sure that the club have an option when Txiki should leave and they have options when Pep will leave.

“Sooner or later it’s going to happen and they are prepared. So it’s not going to be a surprise.”

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Guardiola, who is still missing crocked Kevin De Bruyne for tomorrow’s trip to Wolves, was approached by FA chiefs over the summer as they started the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor.

Thomas Tuchel landed the job and will take over from interim boss Lee Carsley on January 1.

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German boss Tuchel’s 18-month contract, worth £7.5million, will run up to the 2026 World Cup.

And Guardiola could be available at that point if he signs a one-year extension at City, which Etihad chiefs hope he will.

When asked if he would like to manage a national team, he replied: “Yes.”

Asked about the backlash over the Three Lions appointing a foreign boss, he explained: “We don’t decide where we are born. I didn’t decide to be Catalan. I didn’t decide to be English.

“I understand people think it is normal to be manager for the national team where you were born.

“But the world is so big and you have to be open-minded.

“I would like to support Thomas unconditionally because he will represent your country the very best — with his knowledge, his wisdom.

“If he wins he will be congratulated and if he loses he will be criticised. But it doesn’t matter if he is a foreigner or not.”

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes England fans should feel “proud” Tuchel has taken the job.

And he can relate to the German’s love affair with English football.

Spaniard Arteta says he would have been open to playing for England when Fabio Capello considered calling up the former Everton midfielder ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Fifa blocked the move because Arteta played for Spain’s youth teams.

But Arteta said: “I would have done it. I feel very proud about it.”

Asked about bossing England, he replied: “At the moment I’m not thinking about it.

“But I always feel respected, welcomed and inspired by this country and the history of football, and how you get treated.

“That’s something you should be really proud of.”

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