However, his departure from City is only partial, as the club announced he would become a global ambassador for the City Football Group. City said in a statement: “Despite stepping down as Manchester City manager, Pep will continue his relationship with City Football Group by taking on the role of global ambassador. This role will see him provide technical advice to clubs within the group and work on specific projects and collaborations.”
On Friday, Guardiola said of what his role meant: “When I speak, I say I want to remain part of this club. I’m not the manager. I don’t make any decisions. I’m just part of the club and to represent it. Not day-to-day decisions, not in front of the team, always behind the scenes.”
But Guardiola has admitted it is time for a much-needed break, and City fans need not worry about him taking over as manager at another club, at least for now. When asked about his future, he explained: “Rest! There are no plans to train for a while. Otherwise I would be here. I have to step back. I won’t be training (with the team) for a while. When we talk, I say I want to remain part of this club, not the manager.”
“I don’t make any decisions, just to be part of the club and represent it. Not day-to-day decisions, not in front of the team, always behind the scenes.”
Asked if he was like Jurgen Klopp, who claimed he was too tired to continue, Guardiola said: “That’s right.
“Every day I feel like I don’t have the energy, with the expectations of fighting for the title. I know myself, I have the energy, but I won’t have it[in the future]. It’s been 10 years. It’s not an ambition. After 10 years, okay, Pep. It’s good to shake up and move the new guys. It’s the perfect moment, the perfect time.”
Guardiola looked back warmly on his decade-long career and left City with no regrets. “It’s the time. It’s not like you go to bed one day and go to bed the next to say, ‘Now is the time.’ It’s a process, and I’ve felt it for a while,” he explained.
“The club respects my decision. The club has to be ready. This job, it’s Selhurst Park, Anfield, Madrid and the FA Cup. Now I have to live my life and see what happens. The club needs a new manager, new energy and we have the great players we have. And let’s start writing a new chapter.”
“It’s not about when. It’s now. It wasn’t a week ago. We’re competing. The players need to be with me and I need to be with them. And then the moment comes where I say, ‘Okay, I want to say goodbye properly to my guys.’
