Pep Guardiola is a 'genuine candidate' to become the next manager of England amid uncertainty over his Manchester City future, reports say.
The Spaniard has ruled the roost at the Etihad Stadium ever since 2016, with the club winning six Premier League titles during that time.
The FA are yet to decide on the next permanent England boss following the departure of Gareth Southgate, who walked away back in the summer.
Reports have suggested Thomas Tuchel is the frontrunner for the position, with the German a free agent following his departure from Bayern Munich back in the summer.
England next manager: Man City boss Pep Guardiola is a 'genuine candidate' to take over from Gareth Southgate
PA
According to GiveMeSport, however, Guardiola is a 'genuine candidate' with the FA full of admiration for the City boss.
The FA are said to be 'weighing up' an approach, with Lee Carsley's stock falling in the wake of the Three Lions' defeat to Greece.
Guardiola is one of the best managers on the planet. But the caveat to that is that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss would be pricey.
The report says the FA are worried about his huge salary, with the 53-year-old pocketing £20million a year at City.
JUST IN: Mike Tyson has made a dangerous U-turn over Jake Paul boxing fight
He could demand up to four times more the salary Southgate earned during his time in charge.
Earlier this week, it emerged City director of football Txiki Bergiristain would be leaving the club.
Bergiristain, who previously worked with Guardiola at Barcelona, was key a key factor in the Spaniard's decision to take charge of the Premier League side nine years ago.
Some have suggested that his imminent exit will push Guardiola closer to the door.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu suffers another setback after tennis star spotted with Benedict Cumberbatch
However, Guardiola reportedly knew that Bergiristain would be leaving City - with Hugo Viana set to be his replacement.
Meanwhile, Carsley was criticised on Thursday night after England lost 2-1 to Greece in their Nations League clash at Wembley.
The 46-year-old decided to go without a recognised striker, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden played up top instead.
But while that decision backfired, Gary Lineker has jumped to Carsley's defence by saying he admired his courage to try something different.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
England next manager: Lee Carsley's stock has fallen after Thursday night's 2-1 defeat to Greece
PA
“If he was in the role permanently, you would go ‘Well, that’s alright’. Because, let’s be realistic, it’s a friendly, it’s a glorified friendly, it’s not a World Cup qualifier," he said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“I actually admire him to have the balls, the cojones, to actually try something like that when you are trying to get the job.
"That was brave and bold and I admire that.
"I’d sooner see that than see us sitting deep like we did in the summer against teams of equal, actually not as good as Greece probably, some of them, and just sitting there and trying to get a counter-attack."
England next manager: Pep Guardiola has won every major trophy during his time at Man City
PA
England are next in action against Finland on Sunday night.
They beat the minnows 2-0 last month following a brace from Harry Kane, who missed the match against Greece due to injury.
