Latest news with #GQSpain
Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Times
Pep Guardiola: I will take long break to watch cows when I leave Man City
Pep Guardiola has said he will take a break from coaching that could last 15 years after he leaves Manchester City. The Catalan is the club's most successful manager, winning 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. While he did not confirm when he planned to leave City, the 54-year-old said in an interview with GQ Spain that he wanted to spend time focusing on his health and 'watching the cows'. His contract expires in 2027, after he signed an extension in November. 'I know that after this stage with City I'm going to stop, that's for sure. It's decided, more than decided,' Guardiola said. 'I don't know how long I'll stop for — a year, two years, three years, five, ten, 15, I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Last season could be the catalyst for Manchester City to return to their best
Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City squad returned to pre-season training today. Pep Guardiola's side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 24/25 season. Last season was the end of an era for an all-conquering City side. But as one era ended the building of another is well underway at Manchester City. In an interview with GQ Spain, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained that last season was one that his team needed to go through. After a prolonged era of success, eventually City's run at the top had to end. Manchester City has to go through the trials and tribulations of the 24/25 season. Speaking with GQ Spain about what his team went through during the 24/25 season, Pep Guardiola explained that it was a process his team had to experience. After a prolonged era of success, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team finally fell from their perch. The City manager explained what had happened and how it could help establish Manchester City's next era of dominance. Guardiola explained that his team's consistent success contributed to last season's fall: 'I wouldn't just look at last year, I'd go back over the last seven years. When you win six Premier Leagues, there comes a point when you drop. That's human nature. Maybe we should've made more changes to the squad, but it's easy to say that in hindsight.' 'It was a process we needed to go through, something that had to happen. It just took longer to come, and when it did, it hit deeper than we expected. Not deeper in the sense of a total disaster… we still made it to the FA Cup final and finished third, not twelfth. It wasn't that bad. In perspective, we'll probably see it wasn't such a terrible season.' 'But yes, we did go many months without winning. I think it was 13 or 14 games without a win… it puts you in a place.' 'Speaking on behalf of Manchester City, I think what happened to us was actually very healthy. Because success can confuse you. It didn't confuse us for many years, but this year, the players got injured a lot.' 'You ask yourself: 'Why are they getting injured now when they didn't before?' Because the focus isn't where it needs to be anymore. When your focus isn't on doing what you're supposed to do, you get injured more. And you think, 'We'll recover, we'll come back.' 'But your opponent is waiting. Why? Because you've won a lot. And winning pisses off those who haven't… So they wait for you. And that's what happened. But I think it'll be really good for the next five or ten years.' Last season's lessons should set Pep Guardiola's side up for the future. There was a host of lessons for Pep Guardiola, his team and the Manchester City hierarchy to take from last season. Perhaps they held on for one season too long with the experienced players. They also probably entered the 24/25 season with too small a squad. As Manchester City's injury crisis hit, City's squad depth was tested like never before. It was a situation that hadn't hit Pep Guardiola's squad previously. They had suffered injuries in seasons past, but never to the degree that they did last season. But the 24/25 season and the events that transpired are now behind Pep Guardiola and his team. But the circumstances and lessons that came from last season should set Manchester City up for next season and beyond. Manchester City have been busy this summer. So far five players have arrived. They join the host of signings that City made during the January transfer window. The City squad has had an opportunity to rest after their FIFA Club World Cup efforts. That could prove to be invaluable this season. The failings of the 24/25 season have seen new coaches arrive at the club. Fresh ideas and new players do see City enter a new season full of optimism. If Pep Guardiola's side do return to their high standards during the 25/26 season the lessons of the 24/25 campaign could prove to be invaluable. Eventually Manchester City had to fall from their perch. Nothing lasts forever. But the road back to the top may come from last season. It may have been the season that City had to have to begin their next era of dominance.
India Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Pep Guardiola reveals plans after Manchester City stint, hints at decade-long break
Pep Guardiola has confirmed he plans to step away from football management once his time at Manchester City comes to an end - and has hinted that his sabbatical could last up to 15 years. The 54-year-old Spaniard, who extended his contract with City last year to remain at the club until 2027, opened up about his future in an interview with GQ Spain, saying he has "more than decided" about taking a lengthy break from the game to focus on know that after this stage with City, I'm going to stop - that's for sure. It's decided, more than decided," Guardiola said. "I don't know how long I'll stop for - a year, two, three, five, ten, fifteen - I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body."The Manchester City manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of his generation, has enjoyed a historic spell at the Etihad Stadium. Since joining in 2016, he has led the club to 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and global success in the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. However, the 2024-25 season marked a rare low point under Guardiola's leadership. City ended the campaign without a major trophy for the first time in eight years - finishing third in the Premier League, falling short in the Champions League, and losing the FA Cup final to Crystal on the scrutiny that comes with the job, Guardiola said: "I've spent four or five months this year in every away stadium with the crowd chanting, 'You'll be sacked in the morning.' There's no other profession - not architects, teachers, doctors, or journalists - where 60,000 people ask you to lose your job."Despite the criticism, Guardiola defended his team's performance over the past season. "It hasn't been that bad. We reached the FA Cup final and finished third - we didn't finish 12th," he said. "Even when I was winning, I didn't feel we were anything special. Now that we haven't won, I don't feel like a failure either."Guardiola remains optimistic about City's future, suggesting that the struggles of the past year could help lay the foundation for long-term success. "This season has been healthy for us. Success can confuse you. I think it will be good for the next five or ten years. And next season, we'll do better."Manchester City begin their 2025-26 campaign away at Wolves on August 16, with Guardiola set to lead the side for what could be his final chapter at the club. Beyond that, the Catalan coach appears ready to step away from the spotlight - perhaps for much longer than expected.- EndsMust Watch
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Pep Guardiola says planned break from football after Man City could be lengthy
Guardiola, 54, has been at City since 2016 but during last season's slump in form he ended speculation over his immediate future by signing a new contract that runs until 2027. The Catalan has previously expressed an interest in managing in international football later in his career, but has insisted he will take a break before any other role. Hablamos en exclusiva con Pep Guardiola y nos cuenta cuándo se va a retirar del fútbol. Lamentablemente, parece que va a ser pronto. — GQ España (@GQSpain) July 27, 2025 Speaking to GQ Spain, Guardiola said: '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, 10, 15, I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself.' Earlier in his coaching career, Guardiola took a one-year break after leaving Barcelona and before taking charge at Bayern Munich. Last season was City's first without a trophy since Guardiola's first campaign in charge as a run of four Premier League titles – and six in seven seasons – came to a disappointing end as City were left fighting for a Champions League place before finishing third. Guardiola said it was easy with hindsight to say that City should have been quicker to refresh an ageing squad, a process which began in January and has continued this summer with the signings so far of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Sverre Nypan – with James Trafford due to follow. But when asked how he felt about City's campaign being described as a 'failure,' Guardiola said: 'I'm delighted to have failed. 'I love failures. In this society where everything has to be perfect, where you have to post your food on Instagram… 'Oh, how good, how happy I am'. Everyday we have to prove that we're happy. Well, yes, I'm sad, I fail and I lose. So? 'Name one who doesn't do it. The important thing is to give it your all and do it well. And I haven't given up on that… Next year I'm going to do better. That's what it's all about.'
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Pep Guardiola says planned break from football after Man City could be lengthy
Guardiola, 54, has been at City since 2016 but during last season's slump in form he ended speculation over his immediate future by signing a new contract that runs until 2027. The Catalan has previously expressed an interest in managing in international football later in his career, but has insisted he will take a break before any other role. Hablamos en exclusiva con Pep Guardiola y nos cuenta cuándo se va a retirar del fútbol. Lamentablemente, parece que va a ser pronto. — GQ España (@GQSpain) July 27, 2025 Speaking to GQ Spain, Guardiola said: '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, 10, 15, I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself.' Earlier in his coaching career, Guardiola took a one-year break after leaving Barcelona and before taking charge at Bayern Munich. Last season was City's first without a trophy since Guardiola's first campaign in charge as a run of four Premier League titles – and six in seven seasons – came to a disappointing end as City were left fighting for a Champions League place before finishing third. Guardiola said it was easy with hindsight to say that City should have been quicker to refresh an ageing squad, a process which began in January and has continued this summer with the signings so far of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Sverre Nypan – with James Trafford due to follow. Pep Guardiola said he was determined to come back stronger next season (Martin Rickett/PA) But when asked how he felt about City's campaign being described as a 'failure,' Guardiola said: 'I'm delighted to have failed. 'I love failures. In this society where everything has to be perfect, where you have to post your food on Instagram… 'Oh, how good, how happy I am'. Everyday we have to prove that we're happy. Well, yes, I'm sad, I fail and I lose. So? 'Name one who doesn't do it. The important thing is to give it your all and do it well. And I haven't given up on that… Next year I'm going to do better. That's what it's all about.'
