Pep Guardiola makes huge career announcement after surprise ‘energy’ admission
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City will be the final club job of his managerial career.
Guardiola has had eight and a half brilliant years at the Etihad, leading City to six Premier League titles and countless other trophies.
The Spaniard is currently in the midst of the toughest period of his tenure, with City having won just one of their last eight games in all competitions.
However, Guardiola signed a new contract last month until 2027, which will take away the last ten years with the four-in-a-row Premier League champions.
And, speaking in an exclusive interview with Spanish chef Dani GarciaGuardiola gave a major update on his future, revealing that he will not manage any other teams in the future once he leaves City.
“I’m not going to lead another team,” he said. ‘I’m not talking about the long-term future, but what I’m not going to do is leave Man City, go to another country and do the same as I am doing now.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City will be the final club job of his managerial career
Guardiola has had a wonderful spell at City since joining in 2016, winning 18 trophies
In an interview with Spanish chef Dani Garcia, Guardiola gave an update on his future
‘I wouldn’t have the energy… The thought of starting somewhere else, the whole training process and so on… No, no, no! Maybe a national team, but that’s different.
‘I should stop, just like these chefs who go to other countries, stop and look at what we have done well and what we can do better and when you are busy all day, day in and day out, you don’t have time for that .
‘I want to leave it and play golf, but I can’t. I think quitting would do me some good.’
Guardiola told Garcia about his plans when he eventually retires from coaching.
He said: ‘I’m still young and when I stop there are several things I want to do.
“One is to learn French, spend my free time on myself so I can play golf and then start learning to cook simple things.”
Meanwhile, City dropped further points in the title race on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace, with their grip on the Premier League slipping further by the week.
And the 53-year-old admitted he finds it difficult to deal with his side struggling for positive results.
Guardiola signed a new two-year contract with City, which will give him more than ten years at the club
Guardiola said he plans to learn French, improve his cooking skills and play golf when he retires
“The starting point in dealing with the problems of defeat is being with people, basically your family,” he said.
‘But no one can really ease the loneliness of the football manager. You have people next to you, but the bad decisions, why did I do that, it went wrong because I did this, I didn’t push them enough… the pain of defeat, you feel it alone.
‘You may have friends around you, but when you close the bedroom door and turn off the light, there is no comfort.
‘You have to let one or two days pass and then start again. Golfing helps me. One of the best therapies I have is when the Augusta Masters or one of the big tournaments takes place from Thursday to Sunday and I prepare my matches at home or here at Tast (Guardiola’s Spanish restaurant in Manchester).
‘I look at our rival and the images I want to make, but always with the wave in the background.’
Elsewhere, City’s problems this season have been widely blamed on Rodri’s absence, with the Ballon d’Or winner out for the season with a serious knee injury.
Guardiola’s side have also suffered several injuries elsewhere in the team, but the Spaniard admitted Rodri’s absence is the biggest blow of all.
Guardiola admitted he is finding it difficult to cope with his side struggling for form
City have won just one of their past eight games and are eight points behind in the title race
The Spaniard also spoke about how much City are currently missing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri
“He has been voted the best player in the world and of course we miss him,” he added.
“Imagine a scenario where Messi has just been voted the best player in the world and we have to play without him for a whole year.
‘I don’t think we would have won the treble or the sixtuple without them. These players are unique and they show that uniqueness, especially in the bad times when the matches are going against you.
‘Rodri is on a different level in that regard, so of course we miss him. “But time flies and I’m sure he’ll come back stronger.”
Guardiola, who is credited with transforming English football, is the first manager to win four consecutive top-flight titles in England.
In total, he has won 354 of his 495 games in charge of City at an astonishing rate of 71.52 percent, lifting 18 trophies in the process.
City currently sit fourth in the Premier League after 15 games, eight points behind Liverpool.
Meanwhile, they are languishing in 17th place in the Champions League League stage and are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Juventus.