Pep Guardiola believes England are ready to take a leaf out of Manchester City’s book and achieve European success.
Guardiola led City to Champions League glory last season after several near misses over the years.
He feels Gareth Southgate’s national team are following a similar path and are now set to claim the top prize for Euro 2024 this summer.
The City manager said: “They are really good. It’s not just the talent of the strikers, it’s the whole package, the whole group and Gareth knows exactly what he has to do.
“So I feel, everyone feels, that the England national team, (from) the last events – the World Cup and the European Championships – they step up, they are on the way, they are really close. They lost one final, reached one semi-final.
“When you get to these stages every couple of years, it’s going to happen. It’s pretty similar with us, we were close, and we pulled it off in the end.
“I see the reaction when they play the European Cup or the World Cup, people go crazy in the streets. They are crazy about the national team.
“It shows how proud they are and, at the end of the day, as a football player, that’s the best, your country is proud of what you’re doing for your country. are, and the way you play, reaching the final stages. .
“Just believe. If they believe in it, they can do it. Believe in it, believe in it, they can do it.
City midfielder Phil Foden could play a key role for England after an impressive season at club level.
The 23-year-old’s performance was recognized as he was named the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year on Friday.
Guardiola believes Foden, who has progressed through the club’s youth ranks to become one of their most important players, could become one of City’s greatest ever players.
“This club has a long, long history,” Guardiola told a press conference.
“You can’t forget what happened to the players who played at Main Road, as everyone knows. I think this club has been built with a lot of high quality players.
“But I have a feeling that if he continues his career to the end here, and continues at this level, he can be one of the best, that’s for sure.”
Foden is one of a strong squad who have consistently delivered and are now chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League title and a second domestic double in a row.
Guardiola insists his perception of his players will not change even if they fall short this time around.
The Spaniard, whose side host Wolves, said on Saturday: “It won’t change my opinion at all, if we win the title or not.
“Of course we want it but we’re fighting for something that no team in this country has ever done – so of course it’s a big challenge and we want it.
But (changing) opinion? No chance. I forgive them a lot.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk