Pep Guardiola Claims He Could Take ’15-Year’ Break From Management

Revered Coach Reiterates Desire to Quit at End of Man City Contract

There are few figures in world football whose words carry the same weight as Pep Guardiola. When the Manchester City manager speaks, the football world listens—not just because of his accolades, but because of the thoughtful, sometimes philosophical depth with which he views the game.

And now, Pep Guardiola has made it clear: once his current Manchester City contract runs out in 2027, he plans to walk away from the game. For how long? Even he doesn’t know. “One year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15,” he mused in a recent interview. It might just be the longest managerial hiatus football has ever seen.

What Happened: The Pep Guardiola Timeline

Guardiola’s journey into the dugout began back in 2008 when he succeeded Frank Rijkaard as the manager of FC Barcelona. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary. A Barcelona side brimming with talent—including Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta—was sculpted into perhaps the most iconic team of the modern era, winning everything in sight.

After four years, Pep Guardiola stepped away, exhausted but fulfilled. A sabbatical in New York followed before he returned to club football with Bayern Munich. Success followed him there too, and in 2016, he took on arguably the most ambitious project of his career—Manchester City.

Since then, he’s transformed the Cityzens into a juggernaut of English and European football, lifting multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and finally, the long-coveted Champions League.

The Bigger Picture: Why Now?

Pep Guardiola Manchester City 2025

At 54, Guardiola is still relatively young in managerial terms. But managing at the highest level is a draining business—tactically, mentally, emotionally. It’s not just the matches; it’s the endless planning, the scrutiny, the press, the pressure. Even a genius can grow tired of constantly being the engine behind success.

“I know that after this stage with City I’m going to stop,” Pep Guardiola told GQ. “That’s for sure. It’s decided. More than decided.”

And when Pep says something is decided, you tend to believe him. His tone wasn’t one of bitterness or burnout—it was more like a man craving stillness after a life defined by motion.

What Pep Guardiola Said: A Philosophical Pause

The quote that stood out—both for its charm and its odd poetry—was when Pep invoked a Catalan saying: badar.

“In Catalan, they say ‘badar’… I want to do this, simply stop and watch the cows go by when the train goes by. 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.”

It’s rare to hear a modern football manager reference such an image, but it felt pure Guardiola. In his world, football is as much art and rhythm as it is science and statistics. And if an artist feels they need to step away from the canvas, then so be it.

What Comes Next for Pep Guardiola?

The most intriguing part of Pep Guardiola’s revelation is its uncertainty. He doesn’t know what the future holds, and for a man whose career has been defined by meticulous preparation and innovation, that seems almost freeing.

“We think we’re in control, but no,” he said. “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?”

Perhaps he’ll return to coaching one day. Perhaps not. Maybe he’ll take on a national team, or maybe he’ll open a vineyard in Catalonia and spend his mornings sipping espresso and reading the sports pages.

One thing is certain: when Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City, it will mark the end of an era—not just for the club, but for elite football itself.

What Next for Manchester City?

Manchester City FC v Al Ain FC: Group G – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

While Pep Guardiola’s announcement doesn’t come with an immediate effect, it does put City on the clock. They now have three seasons to prepare for life after Pep—something easier said than done.

The club hierarchy, led by Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, will no doubt already be scanning the footballing landscape for potential heirs. Names like Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, and even Vincent Kompany are already being whispered in hushed tones.

But for now, Pep Guardiola remains fully focused. City are deep into their pre-season preparations, with a friendly against Palermo lined up before their Premier League opener against Wolves on August 16.

Legacy of a Genius

Guardiola’s legacy is already secure. With 12 league titles across three of Europe’s toughest leagues and two Champions League triumphs, his CV sparkles. He’s the only manager to win the treble with two different clubs. But beyond the silverware, it’s the style, the philosophy, and the sense of identity he brings to his teams that will be remembered.

Whether it was tiki-taka at Barcelona, positional mastery at Bayern, or controlled dominance at City, Pep Guardiola’s teams didn’t just win—they mesmerized.

When he does eventually walk away, football will lose more than a manager. It will lose a visionary, a philosopher of the sport, and perhaps its most meticulous craftsman.

Final Whistle

In the end, Pep Guardiola’s declaration isn’t just about a break—it’s about peace. About slowing down in a world that rarely stops. About finding joy in simplicity again.

It’s a reminder that even the brightest minds sometimes need darkness. Even the most relentless winners sometimes need to pause. Whether it’s one year or fifteen, the football world will wait. And when Pep returns—if he returns—there will be another team, another canvas, waiting to be painted.

Until then, all we can do is watch… like cows watching the train go by.