Pep Guardiola has revealed he will take a well-earned break from football once his time at Manchester City comes to an end, though he remains uncertain if that break will mark the end of his glittering managerial career.
Pep Guardiola to Take Break from Football After Leaving Manchester City
The 54-year-old Catalan coach, widely regarded as one of the finest minds in football, signed a two-year contract extension last November, tying him to City until June 2027.
By then, Guardiola will have completed an astonishing 11-year spell at the Etihad — far longer than his previous stints at Barcelona (four years) and Bayern Munich (three years).
Since arriving in Manchester in 2016, Guardiola has revolutionized English football, guiding City to six Premier League titles and delivering a historic treble in the 2022/23 season, including the club’s first-ever Champions League crown.
However, the current season has been anything but smooth. City, sitting fourth in the Premier League, have fallen well behind champions Liverpool and now face a tight battle just to secure Champions League qualification.
Speaking to ESPN, Guardiola reflected candidly on his future. “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
Guardiola also shared a philosophical take on how he hopes to be remembered:
“All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City had fun watching my teams play.
I don’t think we should ever live thinking about whether we’re going to be remembered.
When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that’s it — you’re forgotten.”
Despite City’s struggles this season, Guardiola sees it as an opportunity for reflection and growth.
“What we did over the past nine or ten years was exceptional, but now we need to sit down and understand what we need to produce in the future,” he added.
While he has previously hinted at not managing another club after City, Guardiola has not ruled out the possibility of managing a national team, leaving fans across the footballing world eagerly waiting to see what his next chapter will bring.
