Spain manager Luis Enrique believes Pep Guardiola would be his “perfect” successor for the national side.
The two coaches share links to Barcelona, having both managed and played for the Catalan club, as well as Roma, with Enrique taking up the Stadio Olimpico reins in 2011, while Guardiola was once on the books in the Italian capital during his playing days. Now it could be the Spain dugout.
Following that somewhat underwhelming stint as coach of Roma, Enrique’s reputation as a tactician has skyrocketed since he has left the Eternal City, winning the 2015 Champions League with Barcelona, and producing some excellent work as Spain national manager.
When he does eventually call time on his position as La Roja boss, Enrique would like to see his former Barca team-mate Guardiola replace him in the dugout, a possibility the Manchester City coach has already talked up when asked what’s next after the Etihad.
“The next step will be a national team, there is a possibility. International football is the next step,” Guardiola said last month.
“I would need a break after seven years [at City], I need to stop and look around, learn from other coaches, and I might take that road. I would like to coach in a European Championship, a Copa America, a World Cup.”
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Enrique has now intensified the potential of Guardiola supplanting him as Spain boss when his contract does indeed run out at Man City in 2023, saying he would “love” to see the Santpedor-born coach managing the national side one day.
Enrique told reporters: “I’d love that, I wish [Guardiola] was the Spain coach. I’d love it – it would be perfect.
“What’s more, I’d love to see our national team with his stamp on them.
“I don’t think Spain could have a better coach.”