Pep Guardiola has announced that Manchester City will be the last club he manages in his career.
After over eight years of remarkable success at the helm of the club, the Spanish manager has confirmed that he won’t be taking on any future managerial roles once he leaves City.
His journey with the Premier League giants has been filled with six league titles and numerous other trophies, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest football managers of all time.
Current Struggles and His Commitment
While Guardiola is facing one of the toughest periods of his tenure, with Manchester City having won only one of their last eight matches in all competitions, the manager remains committed to the club.
Despite this rough patch, Guardiola signed a new contract last month that will extend his stay until 2027, ensuring that he’ll remain in charge for at least a decade.
In a candid conversation with Spanish chef Dani Garcia, Guardiola emphasized that he is not interested in managing any other teams after City, expressing that the thought of starting fresh with a new club doesn’t appeal to him.
A Desire for Rest and Reflection
Guardiola spoke openly about his future plans after retiring from coaching, including his desire to slow down and focus on personal passions.
“I want to stop, like these chefs who go to other countries,” he said.
“Take a step back, evaluate what we’ve done well, and what we could do better.”
He also mentioned the idea of dedicating time to activities like golf and learning how to cook simple meals.
At 53, Guardiola remains optimistic about life after football, looking forward to a time when he can take a break and pursue hobbies outside the high-stress world of management.
Coping with Defeat and Pressure
Guardiola revealed that dealing with the pressures of defeat is a deeply personal experience.
Despite being surrounded by his family and staff, he explained that football managers often face loneliness when it comes to grappling with the impact of loss.
“You have people beside you, but when you close that bedroom door, there’s no consolation,” he shared.
He described how golf has become a therapeutic escape for him during tough times, with major golf tournaments like the Masters providing a mental break.
Missing Key Players: Rodri’s Impact
Manchester City’s struggles this season have been exacerbated by the absence of their star midfielder, Rodri, who is sidelined with a serious knee injury.
Guardiola acknowledged that losing the Ballon d’Or winner for the entire season has been a major setback.
He likened it to a scenario where Lionel Messi was missing after winning the prestigious award, saying that City’s treble and sextuple triumphs wouldn’t have been possible without such extraordinary players.
Guardiola remains hopeful that Rodri will return stronger, and believes his absence has significantly affected the team’s performance.
Guardiola’s Legacy and Future Challenges
With 354 wins in 495 matches, Guardiola has maintained an impressive 71.52% win rate at City.
Under his leadership, the team has dominated English football, becoming the first club in history to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
However, despite his successes, the current season has proven challenging.
City is currently fourth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by eight points, and they are in danger of failing to progress in the Champions League, sitting in 17th place in their group.
As the team faces Juventus in their next Champions League fixture, Guardiola’s focus remains on guiding City through this difficult phase, but his thoughts on the future suggest that his days in management will eventually come to an end—leaving Manchester City as the final chapter of his illustrious career.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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