On Sunday, Pep Guardiola hinted at the possibility of leaving Manchester City just minutes after leading the team to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.
“The reality is that I’m closer to leaving than staying,” said the Spanish manager to Sky News, before clarifying that there wouldn’t be an immediate departure from the club he’s been managing since 2016.
“We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season, we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see,” he added.
In a press conference, Guardiola did not go into details, other than saying he was naturally tired after another monumental effort that culminated in a remarkable sixth title in seven years for City.
However, Guardiola assured fans that he was ready for the challenge of the FA Cup final next weekend against Manchester United and that he would undoubtedly find motivation again for the next Premier League season, as he has done many times before.
Guardiola was modest about his latest achievement, saying that other managers, like Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson, had achieved more than he has in the past.
He also praised this season’s rivals, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp, who pushed him all the way.
“We competed incredibly well once again and, in the end, by a small margin, we won, we did it… We did something incredible,” said Guardiola, praising his players.
“If I arrived here tomorrow and was told that in the next seven years you would win six Premier Leagues, I would say ‘are you crazy? This is the Premier League, it’s the hardest. This is the hardest for many reasons,” he explained.
Tributes to Klopp and Arteta
Guardiola paid an emotional tribute to Klopp, who managed Liverpool for the last time on Sunday, saying he was a great personality who pushed him to new heights.
“I will miss him a lot. He was very important in my life,” said the Spaniard.
“I just want to say thank you very much for his work. He helped me with his team. He has been a great competitor in my life. With him, it has been very difficult,” he admitted.
Arteta, a former assistant at Manchester City, was another formidable rival who was here to stay, said Guardiola.
Arsenal finished just two points behind Manchester City, pushing them until the last day of the season.
“We received the message from Mikel and his players,” said Guardiola.
“We know they will be there for many years. A young coach with great talent – they sent us a message that we need to be careful in the coming years,” he added.
Guardiola’s players were sincere in their gratitude.
“I just said congratulations, and he said ‘no, congratulations to you,'” said Jack Grealish.
“He is an incredible guy. This season, I had moments when I struggled off the field – I don’t mind saying that – and he supported me a lot. He is a brilliant coach on the field, but behind closed doors and in his office, he has also helped me,” added Grealish.
Erling Haaland, who won the Premier League Golden Boot as top scorer, said Guardiola was a tough but fantastic leader.
“He is a bit demanding sometimes. It’s hard, but look what he has done. He demands a lot every day,” said the Norwegian.
“If you don’t live up to what he expects, you have a big problem. He is demanding, but he is a lovely guy and I love him a lot,” added Haaland.