Brazil are reportedly pushing to appoint Manchester City's Pep Guardiola as their new national team manager.
Speculation over the 53-year-old's long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has been rife for some time, with his current contract due to expire in the summer of 2025.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, Guardiola is currently enjoying his ninth season in charge at the Etihad, where he has celebrated winning a total of 18 trophies.
Guardiola was touted as a potential candidate to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager, but the Three Lions have decided to appoint a different foreign manager in the form of Thomas Tuchel, who will officially take charge from January 1, 2025.
Reports have since claimed that Guardiola is leaning towards signing a short-term contract extension at Man City as he likes the idea of completing at least 10 years at the Etihad.
It has also been suggested that Guardiola is 'more likely' to stay in charge of the Citizens if they are found guilty of the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League.
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Is Guardiola tempted by international job ahead of 2023 World Cup?
Guardiola has, however, reiterated his desire to manage at international level at some stage in his career, and journalist Guillem Balague recently revealed that the Catalan coach would be open to managing England at the 2030 World Cup.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has also been linked on numerous occasions with the Brazil national team job, and The Athletic claims that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is 'making a major play' to bring Guardiola on board.
The report adds that Guardiola was 'annoyed' when the CBF distanced themselves from hiring him following his successful four-year spell at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.
Sources now claim that Guardiola 'likes the idea' of managing Brazil and has been called by the five-time World Cup winners 'on several occasions this year'.
Brazil are currently coached by Dorival Junior, but he has already come under pressure after winning just four of his opening 10 games in charge since his appointment in January.
As things stand, 'there is an even stronger school of thought' that Guardiola will commit his future to Man City for at least one more year, but he may then work towards managing a national team in preparation for the 2030 World Cup.
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Guardiola has just eight months remaining on Man City contract
Guardiola is yet to make a final decision on his Man City future and remained coy about his future at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
He confirmed that he has no plans to travel to Abu Dhabi during this month's international break - his last two contract extensions at Man City were agreed in the Middle East in the month of November.
In the aftermath of Man City's heavy 4-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday - the Citizens' third successive defeat in all competitions - Guardiola was asked by a Brazilian reporter about his chances of taking charge of Brazil.
As quoted by The Athletic, Guardiola jokingly replied: "After a 4-1 defeat, I'm no longer an option. More than ever, I want to lift up [Man City] and return them to their top level".
Guardiola is now relishing the challenge of turning Man City's fortunes around and will seek to avoid losing four consecutive games for the first time in his managerial career when his Citizens side face Brighton this weekend.
Oliver Thomas
