Pep Guardiola is set to attend Bahia's Brasileirao clash against Coritiba on November 21, travelling alongside City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano. The trip comes as the former Manchester City manager is heavily linked with taking charge of the United States men's national team once Mauricio Pochettino completes his expected move to Manchester United.
Catalan tactician plans Brazilian visit
According to ESPN Brasil, Guardiola and Soriano will first travel to Sao Paulo for a corporate engagement on November 18 before heading to Salvador three days later. Guardiola currently serves as a global ambassador for City Football Group following the decade-long spell at Manchester City that ended in May 2026. The trip culminates at the 48,902-capacity Arena Fonte Nova for the round-36 fixture.
Multi-club network hosts Salvador trip
Bahia officially joined City Football Group in May 2023, when the group acquired a 90 per cent stake in the club's sports limited company. That investment placed the Salvador side alongside sister clubs including Girona, Major League Soccer's New York City FC, Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque and Manchester City.
On the pitch, Bahia are enjoying a strong domestic campaign as they push for continental qualification in the final four rounds of the Brasileirao season. Having collected 53 points from 34 matches, they currently sit sixth in the standings, holding the final berth for the Copa Libertadores preliminary round.
American federation eyes managerial swoop
While fulfilling his ambassadorial duties during a coaching sabbatical, Guardiola has emerged as the primary target to take charge of the United States men's national team, according to The Athletic. US Soccer officials reportedly plan to pursue him once Pochettino finalises his expected switch to Old Trafford following Michael Carrick's recent sacking.
The report states that Guardiola's name has featured prominently across multiple levels of the federation's succession planning, with officials having previously contacted him in 2024 before appointing Pochettino. Pochettino is expected to oversee the USMNT's upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final ties against Haiti before completing a Premier League return that reportedly involves a $10 million buyout clause.
Libertadores push meets coaching intrigue
Watching from the stands in Salvador, Guardiola will see Bahia attempt to strengthen their grip on a top-six finish against visiting Coritiba. A win at home is vital for the hosts to stay three points clear of seventh-placed Atletico Mineiro while trailing fifth-placed Athletico Paranaense by just one point. Once Pochettino concludes his duties against Haiti, US Soccer's formal pursuit of Guardiola is expected to gather pace.
