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Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, has been at the helm of Manchester City since 2016, overseeing an unprecedented era of success with six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown in 2022-23, and a total of 18 major trophies. But the 2024-25 under Guardiola’s stint is giving a different picture from the dominance that Manchester City had. While reflecting about the team’s performance Pep embraced the setbacks stating, “I’m delighted to have failed. I love failures. In this society where everything has to be perfect... Well, yes, I’m sad, I fail, and I lose. So?,” highlighting a reported shift in his approach towards personal growth.
In another such incident, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed his intention to take an indefinite break from football management once his current stint with the Premier League giants conclude. In a candid interview with GQ Spain, he said, “I don’t know how long I’ll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don’t know,” underscoring his need for personal reflection after a challenging campaign.
Guardiola’s contract, extended in November 2024, runs until June 2027. marking what would be an 11-year tenure, the longest of his career. However, the 54-year-old Spaniard’s remarks suggest that his time at the Etihad Stadium may be his final chapter in club management.
The 2024-25 season has been different from Manchester City’s dominance
In many tournaments of 2024-25, Manchester City couldn’t establish their dominance, which they are currently known for. Finishing third in the Premier League, exiting the Champions League early, and suffering a dramatic 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 marked a rare trophyless campaign. Injuries to key players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who suffered an ACL injury in September, and Phil Foden, coupled with a mid-season five-match losing streak, added to City’s woes. Along with this, Manchester City’s management is also set to face a pivotal transition, with director of football Txiki Begiristain reportedly set to step down very soon.
Amid all this, Pep Guardiola's comments have also fueled speculation about his next move. While he has reportedly ruled out managing another club, he left open the possibility of coaching a national team, a path he hinted at in 2021 when he expressed interest in a European Championship or World Cup. His decision to step away is reminder to previous sabbatical after leaving Barcelona in 2012, when he took a year off before joining Bayern Munich.
