Manchester City manage
By Sello Masilo
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced that he will take a break from football once his contract with the club ends in June 2027, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter in his managerial career. However, the Catalan coach says he has not yet decided whether he will retire from the game altogether.
Guardiola, 54, signed a two-year extension in November 2023, extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2027. By then, he would have served 11 years at the helm — the longest stint of his managerial journey, which includes four years at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich.
“After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure,” Guardiola told ESPN. “I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
He added, “All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City had fun watching my teams play. I don’t think we should ever live thinking about whether we’re going to be remembered.”
Guardiola reflected on the legacy question with characteristic perspective: “When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that’s it – you’re forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones. The important thing is that the good ones are remembered for longer.”
Unmatched Success at Manchester City
Since arriving at City in 2016, Guardiola has transformed the club into a domestic and continental powerhouse. Under his leadership, City have won six Premier League titles, multiple Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and a historic UEFA Champions League title — the final piece of the puzzle that completed their famous treble in the 2022/23 season.
City’s footballing identity has been shaped by Guardiola’s signature style of play — possession dominance, positional discipline, and tactical innovation. His impact has extended beyond silverware, with many praising the beauty and intelligence of City’s football under his guidance.
A Challenging Season
Despite his legacy, Guardiola acknowledged that the 2024/25 campaign has not lived up to expectations. City are currently fourth on the Premier League table, a staggering 21 points behind newly crowned champions Liverpool, with just four games remaining.
“I knew there would be a moment when we would fall, but we fell a lot,” said Guardiola. “We didn’t expect to be so far, but we can’t win them all. What we did during 10, nine years was exceptional, but now we have to sit down and learn to try to understand what we need to produce in the future.”
While City are still on course to lift the FA Cup for a third consecutive year — they face Crystal Palace in the final — the league campaign has been a humbling experience. “It’s been a season of great learning,” he said.
What’s Next for Guardiola?
This is not the first time Guardiola has hinted at stepping back from club management. In December 2024, he stated he would not “take another team” immediately after leaving City, but hinted at an interest in international football.
Though his next step remains uncertain, Guardiola has not ruled out managing a national team, especially with the 2030 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. Speculation continues to swirl about whether he could take charge of Spain or even a South American powerhouse such as Brazil or Argentina.
His break from football, whenever it comes, would mirror a similar sabbatical he took after leaving Barcelona in 2012. That one-year hiatus allowed him to reset before taking the reins at Bayern Munich.
A Record-Breaking Journey
Guardiola’s coaching accolades are among the most impressive in modern football. Across three elite clubs, he has secured more than 30 major trophies and consistently challenged tactical orthodoxy. From revolutionising tiki-taka at Barcelona to dominating the Bundesliga with Bayern and redefining Premier League standards with Manchester City, Guardiola’s influence on global football is indisputable.
His run at City alone includes:
• 6 Premier League titles
• 2 FA Cups (with a third pending)
• 4 League Cups
• 1 UEFA Champions League title
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup
• 1 UEFA Super Cup
• 1 FA Community Shield
• A record 100-point league season (2017/18)
• A domestic treble (2018/19)
• A continental treble (2022/23)
Legacy in the Making
Guardiola’s long-term impact is perhaps best encapsulated in the way City’s DNA has evolved under his leadership. Academy graduates such as Phil Foden have flourished under his mentorship, while stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva have reached world-class levels.
His successor — whenever named — will inherit a club with an established footballing philosophy, elite infrastructure, and a winning mentality deeply rooted in Guardiola’s ethos.
While some have speculated that Manchester City might attempt to persuade Guardiola to stay beyond 2027, his own words suggest he is already preparing to pass the baton.
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