In a revealing interview with GQ Hype Spain, Manchester City -Baas Pep Guardiola made clear: as soon as his current enchantment with the club is over, he gets away from the sidelines – at least for a while.
Guardiola coaching career has been non -stop since he appeared on stage with Barcelona. His management trip is determined by ruthless success, with trophy loaded stints in Barça and Bayern Munich, and now a historic run with Manchester City. But after more than 15 years at the highest level, Guardiola says it's time to reach a break.
When does Pep Guardiola Manchester City leave?
“I know that after this chapter I will stop with City. That is certain. It has been decided – more than decided,” Guardiola told GQ. “I don't know how long I will be gone – a year, two, five, ten, fifteen. I honestly don't know. But I do know that I have to stop and concentrate on myself, on my health.”
The 54-year-old has left for two years to his contract with City, which runs until 2027. By that time, his term of office in Manchester will be the longest of his coaching career in Catalonia.
Guardiola, who has often been associated with a future role in international football, admitted that he was already starting to learn how to take a step back, but is still struggling with the pressure to deliver. “If you are a coach, you feel enormous responsibility for so many people who believe in you – players, the club president, the sports director. It weighs on you,” he said.
City struggle, coaching -challenges and the Messi -comparisons of Lamine Yamal
Looking back on last season, that shortage at the High Bar City has been agreed in recent years, Guardiola was frank. “We should have made more movements on the transfer market – but that is easy to say now. We went for months without winning a game. That had never happened to me before. It was a reality check.”
Even after all his success, Guardiola says that one of the most difficult parts of the work is to manage relationships within the team. “I have 23 players and can only choose 11 every three days. The rest starts to feel like I don't appreciate them, but it's the opposite. How can there be no conflict? It is impossible.”
He also thought about his own gaming career, which did not end as a result of injury or age, but because, as he says it, “had enough my mind.” That decision opened the door to coaching, a profession that both consumed and defined him.
The interview was concluded with Guardiola who offered a measured version of Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who has already made comparisons with Lionel Messi. “We must have him built his own career,” he warned. “Compared to Messi – that's serious. And if people make those comparisons, it means he is special. But let's give him space and see where it brings him.”
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