Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that following his departure from Manchester City, he may take an extended break from coaching, potentially lasting 15 years.
The 54-year-old Spaniard stands as the most accomplished manager in the history of the club, having secured 18 trophies, which include six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
With his contract set to expire in 2027, Guardiola has yet to announce his plans for leaving the club and reiterated that any sabbatical will be “decided” in due time.
In an interview with GQ Spain, Guardiola, who had previously stated to ESPN in May that he would step down when his contract concludes, remarked:
“Whether it’s one year, two, three, five, ten, or even fifteen, I can’t say how long my break will be.”
Guardiola, whose contract extension was signed last November, is stepping away from a difficult season for City. This marks the first year without a trophy since he took charge in 2016.
“This year, I spent four or five months away at all the stadiums, and I return in the morning. They’ll let you go,” Guardiola noted. “You won’t find this in any other profession; architects, teachers, doctors, or journalists don’t have 60,000 people demanding their dismissal.”
“After winning six Premier League titles, it’s only natural to take a step back. It’s a human process that had to occur, and it took longer than anticipated,” Guardiola remarked.
Last season was marked by injuries for City, including losing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to an ACL tear in September. The club’s exit from the Champions League this season was its earliest since 2012-13, and it finished third in the Premier League. However, Guardiola does not consider the season a failure.
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“It wasn’t too damaging,” he added. “Ultimately, we reached the FA Cup final and ended up third. We didn’t end up in 12th. Looking back, it wasn’t too bad despite a stretch without wins.”
Guardiola remains grounded regarding trophies. “Even during our winning streak, we never felt extraordinary,” he said. “I don’t see myself as a failure for not winning.”
He is optimistic about City’s future. “Representing Manchester City has been beneficial. Success can be disruptive, and while we’ve faced numerous injuries this year, I believe it will serve us well in the coming years.”
City will kick off their Premier League season against Wolves on August 16th.
Fan Take: Guardiola’s decision to step back from coaching after an illustrious run at Manchester City highlights the intense pressure coaches face at the highest levels of football. For fans, this news is significant as it could reshape the trajectory of the club and the landscape of soccer management in the coming years.
