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.”
“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.”