Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed speculation linking him with the Brazil national team job following his side’s 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League.
Softfootball understands that Guardiola played down the rumours after Manchester City’s third consecutive defeat, insisting his immediate focus is on helping the Premier League champions rediscover their best form.
City suffered a heavy setback in Lisbon as Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick, while Maximilian Araujo also found the net to hand Sporting an emphatic victory on Tuesday night.
The result extended City’s poor run after previous defeats to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
When asked about the possibility of becoming Brazil’s next head coach, Guardiola joked that such a move was unrealistic after his team’s recent performances.
The Spaniard stressed that his priority remains lifting Manchester City out of their current slump and restoring the team to the high standards they have maintained over the past few seasons.
Reports last month suggested Guardiola is close to signing a one-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium, with the club eager to resolve his future before the end of the year.
It has also been claimed that the ongoing Premier League investigation into Manchester City’s alleged financial rule breaches is unlikely to affect discussions over a new deal, with both parties reportedly keen to continue their successful partnership.
