England legend Wayne Rooney wants the FA to appoint Pep Guardiola as the national team's next permanent manager. Rooney's comments come after Lee Carsley was appointed the team's boss on an interim basis.
The former Manchester United striker believes England should go for the best available option to replace Gareth Southgate. He said on Sky Sports (via GOAL):
"I'd like Pep to be honest. I think England have to strive for the best managers and Pep would be great; the way he gets his team's playing. But I think Lee Carsley deserves his opportunity. I played with Lee at Everton, we were both younger and he is a very good person and coach. He's done really well with England's under-21s, similar to Gareth's pathway. So I think he deserves this opportunity and if he does well, maybe you are looking at the next England manager."
Pep Guardiola has entered the final year of his contract with Manchester City and is yet to sign a new contract. However, there are no reports about the Spaniard wanting to move on from his position at the Etihad.
Chris Waddle wants Pep Guardiola as next England manager
Former England international Chris Waddle also believes the Three Lions should appoint Pep Guardiola as their next permanent manager. He urged the FA to convince Guardiola to take up the job and told Lord Ping (via TeamTalk):
"The FA should be ambitious. They should be thinking about replacing Gareth Southgate with the best possible candidate available. If we want to win something, if we want to see this group of players play to their absolute potential, then we need to appoint the best.
"I've heard that Pep Guardiola is thinking about international management when he leaves Manchester City. He wants to work with a group of players that are capable of winning something, so England should tick all the boxes for him. The FA should be on his case. They should have a conversation and see if there's interest. If there is, then they should be doing absolutely everything possible to bring him in."
Apart from Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked with the Three Lions job. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have also been backed to replace Gareth Southgate.