Scholes: 'Hopefully Pep Guardiola coaches England someday'

Paul Scholes knew Pep Guardiola would become Manchester City's manager more than nine months before the Catalan tactician was appointed, saying in April 2015: "All the information that comes back to me in Manchester is that Pep Guardiola will take that job."

But, when it comes to where Guardiola will work after City, it's merely wishful thinking from Scholes, who met up with Marca's Jon Prada and discussed a number of topics.

"Hopefully Pep Guardiola coaches England someday," Scholes said, according to Marca's Jon Prada. "Defensively he has to improve because the Premier League is very demanding every week. The people of Manchester get to enjoy two of the best coaches in the world from close by every week."

According to the Independent's Ian Herbert, Guardiola sought an interview for England's managerial position in 2012, but the Football Association didn't take up the opportunity and instead appointed Roy Hodgson as Fabio Capello's successor, determined to hire an English manager. Pep was reportedly willing to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2016 under the idea he could improve the national team.

Scholes also spoke to Marca about what Jose Mourinho is trying to achieve at Manchester United. "The first few months weren't that good, but Mourinho is a coach that wants to win it all. He is returning United to where it once was."

As for past managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis van Gaal, Scholes said: "His secret is that Ferguson knew his players. Ever since he left, there have been problems. Louis van Gaal is a great coach but he didn't practice the football that United and its fans wanted."