In a recent interview with GQ España, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola unequivocally confirmed his intention to take a substantial break from professional football management upon the conclusion of his current role at the club.
The 54-year-old Spaniard disclosed that the decision is “more than decided,” though he remains uncertain about the duration of his planned sabbatical. He stated:
“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.”
Guardiola further elaborated using a metaphor rooted in his Catalan heritage, evoking a phrase once used by his grandfather. He described his future aspiration as a period of rest and reflection, stating:
“I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body… 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.”
This pastoral imagery underscores Guardiola’s desire to step away from the intense demands of elite football in favor of personal renewal and mindful observation—what might be described in legal terms as a period of voluntary disengagement from professional obligations to prioritize physical and psychological well-being.
In a candid discussion with GQ España, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reflected on his long-term future in football and expressed a firm decision to take an indefinite break from coaching following the conclusion of his current tenure at the Premier League club.
Drawing from a personal anecdote, Guardiola referenced a saying often repeated by his grandfather:
“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.”
He continued by explaining that he intends to embrace such stillness and detachment, describing it as a conscious disengagement from the high-intensity world of elite football management:
“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.”
The remarks come in the wake of widespread speculation during the previous season, when Manchester City endured a mid-season slump in form, leading many to question whether Guardiola would soon conclude his highly successful spell at the club. Reports indicate that Manchester City leadership had initiated early-stage contingency planning for a future without the Catalan manager. Furthermore, the Football Association (FA) reportedly reached out to Guardiola concerning the then-vacant England national team coaching position.
Nonetheless, in November 2024, Guardiola committed his immediate future to Manchester City by signing a contract extension through 2027.
Although frequently linked with prestigious coaching roles globally, the 54-year-old clarified his intention to step away from football entirely when his current engagement ends.
Reflecting on his 2012 departure from FC Barcelona, where he won 14 major trophies in four seasons, Guardiola noted his capacity for self-regulated transitions:
“I think I know how to stop at the right moment. The same thing happened to me with my coaching job at Barcelona—there came a time when I said, ‘Enough is enough.’ I’m going to look for another challenge.”
Despite a significant mid-season decline that saw Manchester City drop as low as seventh in the Premier League table, Guardiola’s side ultimately recovered, securing UEFA Champions League qualification and stabilizing the campaign.
