Pep Guardiola’s Final Chapter at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his confidence in Manchester City’s board of directors as the club awaits a decision on its case with the Premier League, which is expected to be resolved over the summer. The final match against Aston Villa marked the end of Guardiola’s decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium, with the Catalan manager’s departure coming just before a judgment is handed down on over 115 charges of alleged financial misconduct.
Guardiola, who has not ruled out the possibility of managing England in the future, has emphasized the club’s innocence and has taken on an ambassadorial role. “There will be a resolution,” he said. “I trust them, I trust them. Because I spoke with them and I trust how they behave and how they did. None of the staff, of the backroom staff or mainly the players and the manager were here. So it’s a long, long time ago. And I trust the club.”
Some of the alleged rule breaches occurred during Guardiola’s time as manager, with the investigation focusing on the period between 2009 and 2018.
The 55-year-old is selling his luxurious apartment in City Suites, which is expected to be valued at around £2 million. However, he has not confirmed whether he will ever return to Manchester. “For a while, I will not be manager,” he added. “That is the only thing. I promise you if I had energy I would be here with them. Otherwise I would be here, still here. Honestly, I deserve to take a break.”
Enzo Maresca is expected to take over from Guardiola, with Manchester City needing to negotiate a compensation package with Chelsea. Although the stand named after him opens on Sunday, Guardiola does not want his achievements to overshadow the future. “It doesn’t work to copy and paste in this kind of job,” he said. “You have to be unique, natural and yourself – and the new manager will be himself. It has to be like that. And that’s why everything is going to be good.”
“I think the squad is a good place. I think we can do better. Because I’m pretty sure with these players, with the new manager, with the staff, with everyone there, they will do the job that’s required to continue to be there.”
Guardiola has not outlined any specific plans for his future, except to rest and recover the time he missed with his children while they were growing up. “Many things I’ve not done I want to do, stupid things I want to do. I don’t think for one second thinking about anything related to football for the next years. I don’t think about it.”
