Pep Guardiola has confirmed that his role at Manchester City will be the final club job of his managerial career.
Guardiola, who has led City to six Premier League titles and a host of other trophies during his eight-and-a-half years in charge, recently signed a contract extension until 2027. This deal will see him surpass a decade with the reigning four-in-a-row Premier League champions.
In an exclusive interview with Spanish chef Dani Garcia, Guardiola shared a significant update on his future, stating that he will not manage another club after leaving City.
“I’m not going to manage another team,” he revealed. “I’m not talking about the long-term future, but I won’t leave Man City, go to another country, and do the same thing as now. I should stop, like those chefs who take a break, reflect on what they’ve done well, and figure out what could be improved. When you’re busy every day, you don’t have the time to do that.
“I want to leave it and play golf, but I can’t. I think stopping would do me good.”
Guardiola also opened up about his retirement plans, expressing his desire to learn French, take up cooking, and dedicate more time to himself.
“When I stop, there are several things I want to do,” he said. “I want to learn French, spend time playing golf, and start learning how to cook simple things.”
Despite his immense success, Guardiola admitted that the challenges of managing a football team can be isolating, especially during difficult periods. Reflecting on a recent 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, he said:
“The pain of defeat is something you feel alone. Even with people around you, when you close that bedroom door and turn off the light, there’s no real consolation. You need a day or two to process it before starting again. For me, golf helps. Watching the Augusta Masters or major tournaments while preparing matches is one of my best therapies.”
As Guardiola approaches his final years in football management, his legacy at Manchester City and beyond is already cemented as one of the most successful in history.
