Pep Guardiola has reportedly been approached by the Football Association (FA) about becoming the next England manager, with the highly successful Manchester City boss expected to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks.

The likelihood of interim coach Lee Carsley remaining in the role is diminishing following a humiliating defeat to Greece and the increasingly unclear statements he has made about his suitability for the job.

Even Carsley himself appears reluctant to take on the position permanently, having stated that he would 'hopefully... be going back to the under-21s'. He further muddied the waters after a victory over Finland, claiming that the England managerial role was for 'a world-class coach who has won trophies', though he later clarified this did not exclude him from consideration.

As speculation grows over who will fill the England hot seat, it seems the FA are aiming high, with The Times reporting that they inquired about Guardiola's availability at the start of the season.

While the contact is believed to have been informal, the Spaniard, who has amassed a wealth of trophies at Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, is understood to be the preferred candidate for the role.

The FA have yet to make a final decision on who will be the permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate, who stepped down in the summer following England's heart-breaking loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Several other candidates are also being considered.

Manchester City, where Guardiola has led the club to six Premier League titles during his tenure, are understandably eager to retain their manager, but with his contract set to expire in June, they face an uphill battle.

Guardiola has not yet responded to the FA’s overtures and remains cagey about his future whenever questioned on the subject.

When asked on the Italian television show Che Tempo Che Fa whether he had decided to take the England job, Guardiola replied, 'It's not true. I'm the Manchester City manager.' However, he stopped short of ruling it out, adding: 'I've not decided anything; anything can happen. So, I don't know.'

The City manager also commented on his future at the club, saying: 'I still need to reflect and decide what I want to do.'

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has voiced his opinion, suggesting that Guardiola is 'the best guy' for the role and worth waiting for until the end of his 2025 contract. Many England fans would likely agree.

Speaking on ITV, Keane said: 'Go after Pep, go for the best. Pep's contract is up in the summer. The FA have to go for the best guy. I don't know if finances will play a part in it. If Lee [Carsley] rules himself out, and that seems to be the direction things are heading, the FA had better get busy and get the right man.'

This is a stark contrast to Carsley's early days in the role, where two 2-0 victories in the Nations League last month appeared to steady the ship after Southgate’s departure.

Jack Grealish was pulling the strings behind the striker, Anthony Gordon was tearing down the wing, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was excelling in his preferred right-back position. However, October brought an ankle injury to Harry Kane and questionable selection decisions.

A 2-1 loss to Greece, ranked 48th in the world, saw Jude Bellingham deployed as a false nine in a 4-2-1-3 formation, with Cole Palmer playing in an unfamiliar deep midfield role. Neither move instilled confidence in fans or the FA that Carsley was the right man to lead the Three Lions in the long term.

But who is? Guardiola’s credentials are beyond reproach, and should the Manchester City manager be willing to venture into international management, he would undoubtedly be a popular choice among England fans longing for success.

Guardiola, one of the most recognisable figures in football, has enjoyed a managerial career that rivals the greatest in the sport’s history. After a playing career as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona, where he made 384 appearances, Guardiola led the club to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, overseeing one of the most dominant teams in modern football.

The silverware continued to flow during his time at Bayern Munich, where he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles before moving to Manchester City.

At City, Guardiola has overseen a period of unprecedented success, with six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a long-awaited Champions League victory to his name.

Another seasoned winner who remains in contention for the England job is Thomas Tuchel.

Carsley has no say in who will succeed him, but his suggestion that the next manager should be 'world-class' resonated.

Tuchel guided Paris Saint-Germain to consecutive league titles before leading a struggling Chelsea side to Champions League glory in 2021. He also secured a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.

England have not appointed a manager of Tuchel's calibre since Fabio Capello, and the German's impressive CV could help him win over fans who are frustrated with managers they perceive as second-rate.

The 51-year-old has been out of work since departing Bayern at the end of last season, and according to Bild, he is currently in discussions for the role. Tuchel has previously expressed interest in international management, stating in 2022: 'Yes, why not? I would consider it if it were the right team, with the potential to win trophies like the World Cup or the Euros.'

Though Jurgen Klopp was linked with the role, the FA did not approach him following his exit from Liverpool, as they believed he wanted an extended break from full-time management. Klopp has since taken on a new position as Red Bull’s 'Global Head of Soccer' in a deal reportedly worth £10 million per year.

English options are also being considered by the FA, with long-time target Eddie Howe still on the radar. Although his position at Newcastle seems more secure than it did in the summer, Howe recently stated that he has no interest in the England job despite the FA’s enduring interest.

Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is also in the frame. During his time at Brighton, Potter earned a reputation for being a progressive, attack-minded coach with a talent for nurturing young players. However, his stint at Chelsea was less successful, with fans quickly losing patience following a run of poor results.

The England role could offer Potter the perfect platform for a comeback. When asked about the position during an appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Potter smiled but stated that he was 'open to anything'.

The only concern is that the 49-year-old may prefer a return to club football, which is understandable after a challenging couple of years. The chance to put his stamp on a new side and manage on a weekly basis must be tempting.

For now, the FA are keeping their options open, but Carsley's mixed messages have increased the urgency to make a decision.