Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, rated by many of his peers, pundits and players alike as the best in the business, is likely to leave the Premier League champions when his contract expires in 2023 as he is desirous of taking a break before venturing into international football, the Spaniard said on Wednesday.
“The next step will be a national team, if there is a possibility,” Guardiola was quoted by Spanish daily Marca.
“After seven years at this club, I think I’m going to have a break. I will need to rest after being somewhere so many years and also stop to evaluate what we’ve done and to try to learn from other coaches.
“If, during this process of stopping, there is a chance to coach a national team then I think I’d like that. I’d like to coach at a European Championship or Copa America or World Cup. I’d like to experience that.”
Although the Champions League trophy has eluded him at City after lifting two at Barca, Guardiola has garnered three league titles for the Emirates club and many more with previous clubs Bayern Munich and Barcelona as manager. And, as a player, he also won six league titles and the 1992 European Cup with Barcelona, besides having scored five goals in 47 internationals for Spain.
After the current immediate disappointment of England skipper Harry Kane’s announcement that he would not be leaving Tottenham this season, this news from Guardiola would most likely be another damper for the club’s owner and the fans.
Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia
