Guardiola drops retirement bombshell as he shares plan when he leaves Man City

Pep Guardiola has enjoyed a stunning spell with Manchester City but it appears that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach is considering the next stage of his career

Pep Guardiola admits he will step away from management when his Manchester City spell finally comes to an end. The Spaniard has enjoyed a stunning spell at the Etihad since his arrival in 2016.

He has led City to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and has also lifted the club’s debut Champions League crown. Guardiola, 54, remains until contract until 2027 having only penned a new contract in November last year.

But it appears that the next stage of his career is already firmly in his thinking, having admitted that he will go on another managerial hiatus once he departs the North West. Asked what the future holds for him, he replied: “I don't know.

“The truth is, I don't know, but I don't think I'm... I don't know, because you can also have large work groups that help you with certain things. I know that after this stage with City I'm going to stop, that's for sure, it's decided, more than decided.

“I don't know how long I'll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, ten, fifteen, I don't know. But I'm going to stop after this stage with City, because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body, on...

“In Catalan, they say badar. Badar, badar, badar... I want to do this, simply stop and watch the cows go by when the train goes by. My grandfather used to say, you look at me like cows watch the train go by.

Well, that's it, you have to stop and watch it go by. And then life... I had never thought that I would coach, that I would go to Germany to coach, to England, and be the coach of Barcelona, or that I would play for Barcelona.

“We think we're in control, but no, something's bound to happen that'll put something in front of me, and I'll say: Oh, do I want to do this or not? And if not, well, I'll figure it out. And I think my plan now is this: stop, stop... And then we'll see.”

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Guardiola has of course already enjoyed a year-long sabbatical from football following his exit from Barcelona in 2012. He was soon back in action though, being appointed by Bayern Munich just over a year later.

The Spanish tactician will be gunning to reclaim City’s Premier League title this season after relinquishing their crown to Liverpool. City eventually finished third, 13 points behind Arne Slot's men.