Catalan coach Josep Guardiola said on Wednesday that, as a next step in his career, he is looking forward to coaching a national football team “in a European Championship, an America’s Cup or a World Cup” once he has completed his time at English Manchester City. in 2023.
“A selection, yes. If given the chance, a selection is the next step. I have to take a break after seven years. I have to stop to see what we’ve done, learn from other coaches and maybe take that path. . I would like to train in a European Championship, an America’s Cup or a World Cup “, Said the Catalan coach at an event in Sao Paulo.
The 50-year-old coach stated that he has not thought of a specific team, although he praised the Brazilian team, led by Adenor Leonardo Bacchi ‘Tite’.
“What do I think of Tite’s Brazil? It’s a fantastic team. Some are my players, others are rivals and I know them. Brazil is always a candidate, a favorite. It always was and always will be. It’s part of the essence, of the culture.” , he said.
Precisely because of this condition and although press versions have sometimes presented it as a possible option of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Guardiola believes that the green and yellow team will not be led by a foreign coach so soon.
“I think Brazil will always have Brazilian coaches, they are very good. I think it is very difficult for foreign coaches to lead the top national teams in the world,” he said.
However, he argued that the mix between nationals and foreigners can be successful and cited as examples the cases of Spanish and English football.
“There is nothing better than learning from others. We have learned from Brazil and Brazil can learn from everyone,” he argued.
Asked about his biggest challenges as a coach, Guardiola pointed out the “ego” of the players, the management of the players and the decision to choose those who will make up the starting team, which can “demotivate” players who are not in the ‘initial eleven.
“The problem with our job as a coach is to choose 11 to play and 11 to stay in the stands. This is very difficult to manage (…) For me it is the most difficult thing in football, more than the techniques, opponents, fitness, playing conditions, ”he explained.
That’s why he has said he tries to maintain a good atmosphere on the team, even though he maintains a tough stance.
“I always tell them, if you’re not happy, you have to go. No one forces them to be here,” he pointed out.