Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "I am arriving at the end of my coaching career"
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Pep Guardiola has made the shock declaration that he is already thinking about the end of his coaching career.
The Spaniard is only six months into life at Manchester City, after joining in July following their three-year pursuit of the 45-year-old.
Guardiola left Bayern Munich after three years and three Bundesliga titles in Bavaria, having previously spent four years as head coach of Barcelona - where he experienced unprecedented success, twice winning the Champions League.
He signed a three-year deal with City in the summer and Guardiola is a believer that such a time period is the optimum time to devote yourself to one club, to achieve maximum results.
However, despite having only been a coach for less than a decade, he has surprisingly admitted - particularly given he is only six months into his tenure at the Etihad - that "the process of my goodbye has already started."
(Photo: REUTERS)
(Photo: Reuters)
"What I like is to imagine that the next step can be better - if not, I will not be here," declared Guardiola, speaking in a special interview with NBC, entitled 'Inside the mind of Pep Guardiola'.
"I feel that the the process of my goodbye has already started."
"I will not be a trainer when I am 60 or 65 years old. Manchester City is three years, or maybe longer, but I am still approaching the end of my career as a manager - I am sure of that."
Asked where he'll be found in retirement, Guardiola responds: "If you look for me, I'll be at a golf course."
(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
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Guardiola took charge of his first senior job in 2008 at Camp Nou, having previously coached only 12 months in charge of Barcelona's B side.
But much has been made of his change in appearance since his early days with Los Cules, with long-time rival Jose Mourinho famously quipping: “If you enjoy what you’re doing, you don’t lose your hair; he's got a bald head. Guardiola doesn't enjoy football."
Indeed, after his four years with Barca, Guardiola took a year sabbatical in New York - away from the game, before joining Bayern - believing he needed time away from the game to refresh.
And those around him at previous clubs, who have witnessed his workings on the training ground, have commented on how his complete devotion to coaching can affect him, leaving him unable to switch off away from the sidelines and feeling drained, while Marti Perarnau revealed in his book "Pep Confidential" that he also struggles to eat on matchdays.
(Photo: BBC)
And after beginning 2017 with a win over Burnley, Guardiola was in a somewhat tetchy mood when quizzed on why he left out David Silva and Sergio Aguero from his starting XI, before calling upon the pair to lead City to victory.
"Sure it was a big mistake, you are right," he replied when asked about the duo.
When indicated that he had made the change, he replied: "Yes. I am intelligent."