XtraTime Web Desk: The AFA want Pep Guardiola to replace Jorge Sampaoli as the head coach of Argentina and are willing to pay him a bumper $12million-a-year until 2022, according to AS.
Half of his salary would be paid by the AFA with the other half would be covered by Torneos, who have television rights for the national team until 2030.
The big complications of course are the fact that the Catalan just renewed his Manchester City deal until 2021 and appears to be in no rush to leave the club.
Even so, it is claimed by AS that Guardiola told Sergio Aguero in a phone call that he would “love” to coach Argentina, although he recognises they should ideally be coached by an Argentine.
Furthermore, Guardiola has a good relationship with Lionel Messi from their Barcelona days and could keep him involved after the footballing superstar against fell short of winning the World Cup this year.
In the book Che Pep, journalist Vicente Muglia wrote of the connection between Guardiola and Argentine football, something that could lead to the current City boss managing La Albiceleste at some point.
Pep is said to have asked Diego Maradona when he was in charge of Argentina (2008-2010), “Diego, do you see me leading the Argentine team one day?”, to which the national icon replied “Yes”.
For now, the idea of Guardiola leaving the Etihad Stadium seems remote, but he is known to be interested in taking a national team job some day, and Argentina sounds like an option.