Luis Enrique Backs Guardiola To Take Over As Spain Manager

Luis Enrique has backed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to take over from his position as Spain manager.

Luis Enrique Backs Guardiola To Take Over As Spain Manager

Enrique’s contract at the helm of La Roja lasts until after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and it remains to be seen whether he gets an extension.

Guardiola’s current contract with the Premier League champions will expire in the summer of 2023 and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager recently hinted that he will not renew his stay at the Etihad Stadium, where he has won three Premier League titles, four League Cups and one FA Cup since taking over in the summer of 2016.

Guardiola’s immediate plans are to take a sabbatical after his Manchester City exit and then try his hands as a national team manager.

Enrique believes Guardiola will be the ideal candidate to take charge of the Spain national team when his time in charge comes to an end.

"I would love that. It would be perfect to see his mark on the national team," Luis Enrique said at a news conference on Thursday when naming his Spain squad for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Sweden, Georgia and Kosovo.

"I don't think Spain could have a better coach than Pep Guardiola. I'm sure he would do a great job."

As a player, Guardiola won 47 caps for Spain and was part of the under-23 side that won Olympic gold in 1992.