Soccer

PEP GUARDIOLA has sensationally been sounded out over the vacant England job, it’s been claimed.The Football Association are on the lookout for a permanent successor for Gareth Southgate, who left the role in July after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.The FA have approached Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola about the vacant England jobCredit: PAGareth Southgate resigned as England manager in July following yet more Euros final heartacheCredit: GETTYLee Carsley is in temporary charge of the Three LionsCredit: PAFA bigwig Mark Bullingham is heading up the search for Southgate’s successorCredit: PAManchester City boss Guardiola is understood to be on the FA’s shortlist of candidates to replace the recently departed Southgate.SunSport understands Eddie Howe and the out-of-work Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel are also on the FA’s list.And it’s claimed they’ve made overtures to appoint Spaniard Guardiola as the national team’s new gaffer.That’s according to The Times, who claims the FA made “informal contact” with Guardiola’s representatives over the role earlier this season.READ MORE ON ENGLANDFA chiefs are said to see the 53-year-old as the “standout” candidate to take charge of the team, who are under the temporary leadership of Lee Carsley.Guardiola, however, has yet to respond to the FA’s attempts to gauge his interest in becoming only the 20th man to manage England.The future of the former Barcelona boss – who guided City to an unprecedented FOURTH-STRAIGHT Premier League title last season – is currently up in the air.His existing contract with City expires at the end of the season and he’s yet to commit his future to the champions.Most read in FootballGuardiola did, however, suggest in the summer that he could pen a NEW contract at the Etihad.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland player ratings vs FinlandENGLAND secured a commanding 3-1 win over Finland following their horror show at home to GreeceHere’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay assessed the Three Lions’ stars performances.Dean Henderson – 6Only his second cap after long-time No1 Jordan Pickford was dropped. Not a lot to do, but pretty assured when he was called into action, including a smart, first-half stop to repel a Benjamin Kallman strike – even if the Finn was later flagged offside. Could do little to prevent Finland’s goal.Kyle Walker – 6After the calamity against Greece, it was no surprise to see Lee Carsley turn to his most experienced defender. Now just nine caps shy of a century, Walker was solid. Could have had an assist late on but his cushioned down header was poor.John Stones – 6England’s more conventional system meant the defence was far less exposed – though Carsley’s attacking approach did still see the Finns create chances. Stones made a good early block to deny Kallman after Angel Gomes gave the ball away.Marc Guehi – 6Our best defender in the Euros group stages, Guehi was back in here with Levi Colwill dropping out. Pretty assured for a player who by his own admission has not started the season particularly well for his club.Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7We saw him in midfield at the Euros, and here the Liverpool right-back was shunted to left-back. Looked vulnerable defensively at times but who cares when he produces such quality on the ball – epitomised by his terrific free-kick to kill off this game.Angel Gomes – 8The big success story of the Carsley era, however long it lasts, has been bringing Gomes into the fold. He created Jack Grealish’s opener with a beautiful, flicked-pass round the corner and was excellent in possession – barring one sloppy early pass.Declan Rice – 7Looked far more comfortable with Gomes playing in behind him, as opposed to the one-man defensive operation he was forced to put up against the Greeks. Looked proud as punch after stroking home England’s third from Watkins’ cross.Cole Palmer – 5Played in a more familiar wide right position compared to his central-midfield experiment against Greece. Yet it reduced him to a peripheral figure, adding more questions than answers as to where best to deploy him, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.Jude Bellingham – 6The Real Madrid superstar played off Harry Kane and had the occasional, exciting link-up with Grealish, but this was not one of his more memorable games overall.Jack Grealish – 8No doubt will be hoping Carsley does get the job full-time as his fellow Brummie seems to appreciate his talents. His composed finish was his second goal in three games under Carsley – doubling his overall haul from 39 caps.Harry Kane – 6Cap 101 for the captain but not one he will remember particularly fondly. He offered the presence the team lacked against Greece when they played with no striker, but did not get much of a sniff in front of goal.SubsNoni Madueke (for Palmer, 69) – 7This game was made for him to make an impact off the bench and he almost teed up Watkins after one fine run but the Finns cleared.Ollie Watkins (for Kane, 69) – 7Low cross for Rice’s third was right on the money.Rico Lewis (for Gomes, 80) – 6Slotted in at centre midfield when coming on and looked busy.Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 80) – 5Embraced the post ruefully after Madueke opted to shoot instead of crossing to him for a tap-in seconds after Finland’s goal. Was marking Arttu Hoskonen when the Finn headed home a consolatio.Conor Gallagher (for Rice, 89) – 6His first appearance under Carsley but too late to make an impact.Lee Carsley – 7His tactical gamble backfired against Greece but he held his hands up and went more conventional here. It paid off as England were relatively comfortable – although his teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times in all four of his games and this was no different. But the three best players, Gomes, Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, were all given starring roles by Carsley when used sparingly or not at all by predecessor Gareth Southgate – and for that, the interim boss should take credit.But he’s also sensationally opened the door to taking the Wembley hot seat, insisting “anything is possible.”He said: “(Leaving City?) That’s not true, in the sense that I have to think about it. (England?) No, that’s not true.England ratings: Angel Gomes is the runaway success of Lee Carsley era but Cole Palmer is anonymous”If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.”Interim Three Lions boss Carsley has guided the team to three wins and a shock loss to Greece during his brief tenure.But he has left fans confused over whether he actually wants the job going forward.The England interim boss raised eyebrows when he mentioned that he would “hopefully” return to his role as Under-21s manager on the back of England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece last week.Then, following the 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday, Carsley urged the FA to appoint a “world-class” manager to replace Gareth Southgate, before adding that he hasn’t ruled himself out.Carsley said: “I have been doing the Under-21s and I am really happy with my job.”I am an employee of the FA and I was asked to take the senior team which is a privilege, it was the proudest moment of my career.”I am really honoured with the chance to manage the senior team.”I am in a really fortunate position in that I am on the inside and I can see how much potential this team’s got.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It is one of the best jobs in world football. There aren’t many jobs where you’ve got a chance of winning.”I believe the coach that comes in has got a really good chance of winning and we deserve the best one that’s out there.” More