Pep Guardiola ‘sure’ he will ‘take a break’ after leaving Man City
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that once his time with Manchester City ends, he plans to step away from the sidelines — at least for a while. Whether that becomes retirement or simply a long pause remains to be seen.
After nearly a decade guiding City — the longest run of his career — Guardiola’s current contract keeps him at the Etihad through 2027. It’s been a stretch of dominance few managers have matched, but even he admits the road ahead looks like a quiet one, at least for now.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil during the Premier League Encounters series on Disney+, Guardiola said plainly: “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure.”
A Decade of Silverware and Structure
Since arriving in 2016, Guardiola has redefined the club. He led City to six Premier League titles and, in 2023, delivered their first Champions League title during a treble-winning season. His legacy is secured, but he seems more interested in reflection than celebration.
Before City, Guardiola had transformative stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. While those chapters were shorter, the impression left on the game was no less profound.
“I want people to remember me however they want,” he said. “It’s not something I dwell on.”
This Season, a Different Story
City’s current campaign has been far less dominant. A five-game losing streak in the fall effectively ended their league ambitions and saw them bow out of the Carabao Cup. At the moment, they’re still chasing Champions League qualification — a far cry from last year’s control.
“It’s been a season full of lessons,” Guardiola said. “Mistakes were made, sure — by me too.”
He acknowledges the difficulties but doesn’t dwell on them. “We didn’t expect to be this far off, but after so many years at the top, maybe it was inevitable.”
They’ll meet Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17 — one more shot at salvaging a complicated season.
How Does He Want to Be Remembered?
Legacy, Guardiola insists, isn’t something he aims to control.
“When we’re gone, people mourn us for a few days, then life continues,” he said. “If our work meant something, that’s enough.”
The comment lands with more weight than usual. Guardiola rarely talks about stepping back, but there’s a clarity in his words now — a manager who’s done what he set out to do, and maybe more.
What Comes Next?
Right now, he’s not certain. The only thing he’s sure of is the break. What follows that — another club, another country, or total retirement — is undecided.
“There will always be new challenges,” he said. “But first, I need time away.”
And maybe that’s what makes this moment feel final — not in the sense of quitting, but in closing a chapter that’s defined a generation of football.
