Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed England to win Euro 2024 if they follow his club’s path to continental glory.
Guardiola finally led City to their first Champions League title last season after a series of near misses at the start of his reign.
The Spaniard feels Gareth Southgate can do the same for England after their painful failures on the brink of winning the title.
England were beaten in the European Championship final by Italy on penalties at Wembley in 2021, lost the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018 and were beaten by France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.
“They are really good. It’s not just the talent of the attackers, it’s the complete package, the whole group and Gareth knows perfectly what he has to do,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“So I have the feeling, everyone has the feeling, that the England team, (from) the last events – the World Cup and the European Championships – are taking steps, they are on the edge, they are very close. final, reached the semi-final.
“When you get to these stages every two years, it’s going to happen. It’s very similar to us, we were close and in the end we managed to overcome it.”
Guardiola believes the English passion for football, which often weighs heavily on its players at tournaments, will be a more uplifting factor this time.
“I see the reaction when they play European Cups or World Cups, people go crazy in the streets. They go crazy for the national team,” said Guardiola.
“It proves how proud they are and at the end of the day, as a footballer, that’s the best thing, your country is proud of what you’re doing for your country and the way you’re playing, getting to the latter stages.
“Just believe. If they believe, they can do it. Believe, believe, they can do it.”
City striker Phil Foden could have a key role to play for England after an excellent season at club level.
The 23-year-old’s performances were recognized when he was named Men’s Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association on Friday.
Guardiola believes Foden, who progressed through the club’s youth ranks to become one of the club’s most important players, can become one of City’s all-time greats.
“This club has a long, long history. You can’t forget what happened to the players who played at Maine Road, as everyone knows. I think the club was built on many, many high quality players,” he said.
“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.”
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