Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s golden era, has revealed his intention to step away from football when his contract with the club expires in 2027, signaling the mounting pressures of his transformative nine-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium. The 54-year-old Spaniard, whose relentless pursuit of excellence has redefined English football, clarified that this break—whether a sabbatical or something more permanent—does not mean immediate retirement. “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I’m sure,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of City’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 2, 2025. “I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.” His candid admission, coupled with a season of unprecedented challenges, paints a picture of a manager grappling with the weight of his own legacy while plotting City’s path forward.
Guardiola’s remarks come during a turbulent 2024-25 campaign, with City languishing 21 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool and fighting to secure a top-five finish for Champions League qualification. The team’s struggles, marked by four straight league defeats in November and December, prompted Guardiola to concede the title race as early as November. “It has certainly been a tough season,” he acknowledged after a 2-0 FA Cup semifinal win over Nottingham Forest, a rare bright spot in a campaign that has tested his tactical ingenuity. Despite these setbacks, City’s recent form—buoyed by a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired win against Wolves—has lifted them to third place, offering hope for a strong finish. “The goal was massively important for us, it lifted our spirits,” Guardiola said of De Bruyne’s decisive strike, a bittersweet moment as the Belgian prepares to depart when his contract expires in June 2025.
The pressures of managing City’s aging squad, coupled with injuries to key players like Rodri and Erling Haaland, have taken a toll. Guardiola admitted to missteps, particularly his delay in integrating younger talents like 20-year-old academy graduate O’Reilly, who has contributed five goals across the Premier League and FA Cup. “I regret not ditching Manchester City’s old guard for their young guns earlier in the season,” he reflected, signaling a shift toward rebuilding for the 2025-26 campaign. Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, praised Guardiola’s intensity but noted its toll: “Everybody who works with him tells you how intense he is, so certain players can’t put up with that for so long.” Carragher added that Guardiola “deserves a break” when he chooses to step away, given the unmatched demands he places on himself and his team.
Guardiola’s tenure, which began in 2016, has yielded 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League, cementing City’s status as a global powerhouse. Yet, the relentless schedule—12 years without an extended break since his 2012-13 sabbatical between Barcelona and Bayern Munich—has left its mark. “It’s an eternity, so what I’m saying is that when I’m finished here I will need to make a stop, that’s all,” he told Sky Sports, dispelling rumors of an imminent exit. His contract extension, signed in November 2024, quashed speculation about roles with England or Brazil, but Guardiola has expressed a long-term desire to manage a national team, potentially targeting a European Championship or World Cup. “I fancy the idea of clinching international glory,” he confided to a Spanish chef on YouTube last year, hinting at his post-City ambitions.
Off the pitch, Guardiola has faced fan discontent over rising ticket prices, prompting him to pledge support for supporters struggling financially. “I’m pretty sure they would love to go,” he said of fans unable to attend the FA Cup semifinal, empathizing with their economic pressures. His commitment to City’s community contrasts with the club’s on-field challenges, including Haaland’s ongoing recovery from an ankle injury and Rodri’s uncertain return from a torn ACL. “He’s getting better,” Guardiola said of Haaland, while admitting Rodri’s status depends on medical advice.
As City prepare for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17 and the Club World Cup in June, Guardiola remains focused on restoring pride. “We will see how we finish the season and see how we arrive in that tournament together,” he said, emphasizing a game-by-game approach. His vow to take a break reflects a rare moment of vulnerability from a manager whose intensity has shaped modern football, influencing disciples like Luis Enrique and Mikel Arteta. Whether he returns to management or pursues international glory, Guardiola’s legacy at City—built on 100-point seasons and a 2023 Treble—ensures he’ll be remembered as a visionary. For now, he’s determined to guide City through their final fixtures, proving that even in adversity, his passion for the game burns bright.[](https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/premier-league-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-break-from-football-2719053-2025-05-03)[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jamie-carragher-pep-guardiola-theory-35164210)[](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/13360120/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-boss-will-take-a-break-from-football-when-his-time-at-club-ends-but-will-not-retire)
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