Josep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City may have felt sudden to some fans, but the reality is very different. According to club president Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the Spanish coach considered leaving the club on numerous occasions and ultimately decided that the 2025-26 season would be his last.
The revelations provided a rare glimpse into the emotional and mental demands of management at the highest levels. Guardiola led Manchester City to one of the most successful eras in football history for a decade, but behind the trophies and celebrations was a manager who repeatedly doubted whether he could continue.
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Guardiola wanted to leave long before his final farewell
Regarding Guardiola’s resignation, Al Mubarak revealed that Guardiola had threatened to resign “100 times” over the years. Each time, the club managed to convince him to stay and continue building the project that would transform Manchester City into a global powerhouse.
After 10 years in charge, Guardiola has told the club his decision is final. The chairman explained that he understood the situation immediately after seeing how much energy and dedication Pep had put into the role over the years.
These comments highlight a manager who never considered success to be easy or routine. Even during the most dominant period of City’s reign, Guardiola relentlessly pushed himself to improve.
The decade that changed Manchester City forever
When Guardiola took over as manager in 2016, Manchester City was already one of England’s strongest clubs. By the time he retired, the organization had reached a completely different level.
Under his leadership, City won multiple Premier League, domestic cup and UEFA Champions League titles. His teams became known for their attacking style, tactical innovation, and amazing consistency.
Many football experts consider Guardiola’s Manchester City to be one of the greatest club teams ever assembled. The club not only won trophies, but also established a football identity that influenced teams around the world.
Why Guardiola finally decided to quit
The biggest reason seems to be simple: fatigue.
Guardiola has openly admitted that he wants to take a long break from football. After managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, he has lived under constant pressure for almost 20 years, with every match, every decision and every outcome scrutinized.
Guardiola has said he wants time away from the touchline to rest, reflect and enjoy life, rather than jumping straight to a job with another club.
Reports suggest that international football could eventually be his next challenge, but the player has made it clear he has no intention of returning any time soon.
Manchester City have announced that the stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named in his honour. Guardiola later admitted that what touched him most was knowing that his family’s name would be engraved on the stand and that his father, now in his 90s, would also be able to see it.
