England ‘on the verge’ of winning a major championship – Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes England are ready to take a leaf out of Manchester City’s book and achieve European success.

Guardiola finally guided City to Champions League glory last season after a number of near misses in the preceding years.

He feels Gareth Southgate’s national team have been following a similar trajectory and are now ready to take the top prize as they head to Euro 2024 this summer.

The City manager said: “They are really good. It’s not just the talent of the strikers, it’s the whole package, the whole group and Gareth knows perfectly what he has to do.

“So I have the feeling, everyone has the feeling, that the England national team, (from) the last events – the World Cup and European Championship – they make steps, they are on the verge, they are really close. They lost a final, got to a semi-final.

“When you arrive at these stages every two years, it’s going to happen. It’s quite similar to us, we were close, and in the end we lifted it.

“I see the reaction when they play European Cups or World Cups, people go crazy on the streets. They go crazy for the national team.

“That proves how proud they are and, at the end of the day, as a football player, that is the best, your country is proud of what you are doing for your country, and the way you are playing, reaching the last stages.

“Just believe it. If they believe it, they can do it. Believe it, believe it, they can do it.”

City midfielder Phil Foden could have a key role to play for England after an outstanding season at club level.

The 23-year-old’s performances were recognised as he was named the Football Writers’ Association men’s Player of the Year on Friday.

Guardiola believes Foden, who has progressed through the club’s youth ranks to become one of