Pep Guardiola Would Jump at Liverpool Job, Says Ex-Arsenal and Liverpool Winger Jermaine Pennant

Jermaine Pennant, the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger, has claimed that Pep Guardiola would be open to taking charge at Anfield, fuelling speculation over where the Manchester City manager will head next once his time at the Etihad Stadium comes to an end.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Pennant was unambiguous in his assessment. “Of course, who wouldn’t? Every team on the planet would like Pep as their manager… He’d love to [manage Liverpool]. Look at the Kop when you walk out. 100%. The atmosphere – he’d love to play in that,” the 42-year-old said.

The comments come amid widespread expectation that the 55-year-old Catalan will depart Manchester City at the conclusion of the current season, bringing to a close a ten-year stint in English football. While no official confirmation has been issued by the club, his impending exit is widely regarded as an open secret across the footballing industry.

Guardiola’s departure, should it be confirmed, would mark the end of one of the most dominant managerial reigns in Premier League history. During his tenure at Manchester City, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss delivered six Premier League titles, frequently locking horns with Liverpool in some of the division’s most fiercely contested title races of the modern era.

The suggestion that Guardiola could cross what many would consider an unbridgeable divide and take the reins at one of City’s fiercest rivals is not without its complications. The rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool over the past decade has been one of English football’s defining storylines, with both clubs regularly exchanging title blows across multiple seasons.

Nevertheless, Pennant pointed to several factors that could make such a move logical. Having spent a decade living in the northwest of England, relocating to Liverpool would require no major disruption to Guardiola’s personal life — a practical consideration that Pennant suggested could work in the club’s favour.

Guardiola himself has repeatedly acknowledged the unique atmosphere generated by Liverpool’s Anfield crowd over the years, offering praise for the stadium’s famed Kop end on numerous occasions throughout his time in English football.

At Liverpool, the managerial picture has its own layer of uncertainty. Arne Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, is reportedly facing scrutiny following a difficult title defence, with calls for his dismissal emerging according to reports. Liverpool won the Premier League title in Slot’s debut season, making any suggestion of a managerial change a significant development at Anfield.

Guardiola’s next destination remains unconfirmed, with international management and a sabbatical among the options that have been discussed in footballing circles. Whether a move to Liverpool materialises remains firmly in the realm of speculation at this stage, but Pennant’s remarks are likely to add further momentum to a debate that shows no signs of quieting.