Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has announced that he will take a break from football once his current contract expires on 30 June 2027. In an in-depth interview with GQ Hype, the Spanish coach revealed that his decision is definitive, though the duration of his sabbatical remains uncertain.
“I know that after this chapter with City, I will stop. That’s certain, it’s decided, more than decided,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know for how long. One year, two, five, ten, fifteen… but I need to focus on myself, on my body.”
The 53-year-old, who has won six Premier League titles with Manchester City, acknowledged the physical and mental toll of sustained success. Reflecting on the previous season, in which City reached the FA Cup final and finished third in the league, Guardiola dismissed any notion of failure. “We didn’t collapse. Finishing third isn’t twelfth. In time, we’ll understand that it wasn’t a disaster,” he explained.
Guardiola admitted that the past season brought challenges, including a number of injuries within the squad. “There were months when we didn’t win. But I think what happened to us was healthy,” he said. “The injuries helped us understand what didn’t work. I believe it will help us in the coming years.”
Known for his tactical brilliance and relentless drive, Guardiola also commented on the criticism he has received throughout his career. “I expected it. Criticism gives you energy,” he noted. “These are the same people who said I only won at Barcelona because I knew the players, or that English football would be different when I came to Manchester. In sport, you can’t win all the time. Losing is part of the process.”
Touching on his past, Guardiola closed the door on any return to FC Barcelona. “That chapter is closed forever. It was very good, but it’s over,” he said.
He also offered his thoughts on rising star Lamine Yamal, urging caution in comparisons. “Just the fact that he’s being compared to Messi is huge. It’s like comparing a painter to Van Gogh. It’s a good sign, but we need to let him build his own career.”
