Guillem Balague predicts that Pep Guardiola will conclude his tenure at Manchester City after completing his two-year contract and then retire from club management.
At the end of his current deal, Guardiola will have steered Manchester City for nine seasons since taking charge in 2016, having previously managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich, only missing one season since taking over at the Nou Camp in 2008.
Guardiola, renowned for his impactful approach to the game, is expected to become a highly sought-after manager if he decides to leave. However, Balague speculates that by 2025, Guardiola may opt to leave the day-to-day demands of club management and transition to a less demanding role in international management. His likely destination is seen as England, given his past relationships and influence on several current Three Lions players.
Balague’s insights align with Guardiola’s previous comments, acknowledging his aspiration for international management after potentially taking a break following his tenure at Manchester City. Guardiola’s interest in leading a national team, perhaps at a World Cup, Copa America, or European Championship, has been openly expressed.
After Gareth Southgate’s expected departure as England’s manager following this summer’s European Championships, the Football Association might express interest in Guardiola, despite the schedule clash. Additionally, if the Dutch managerial position becomes available, Guardiola, whose coaching ideology was influenced by Johan Cruyff of the Netherlands during his time at Barcelona as a player, might be linked to that role.
