Guardiola announces sabbatical, rules out return to Barcelona

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has announced that he will not take a new job immediately after his spell at the Etihad Stadium ends. Guardiola has been coaching the northern English club for nine years now, but admits he needs to take a break.

Guardiola took over in 2016 and will complete a decade in charge next season. The 54-year-old has won the Premier League six times, with a success rate of 67%, has coached 533 games and has two years left on his contract. According to GQ Hype, Guardiola said in an interview that he has decided to take a sabbatical.

“I know that after this phase at Manchester City, I will leave, that’s for sure, it’s already decided, more than just decided. After this phase at Manchester City, I will leave because I need to stop and focus on myself and my body.”

Guardiola took a break between stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the 2012-13 season.

“I think I know how to stop at the right time. The same thing happened to me during my coaching career at Barcelona, and I once said, enough, enough. I’m going to look for new challenges.”

Guardiola rules out return to Barcelona

Guardiola has also rejected the idea of returning to Barcelona. While he has always said he would not return as head coach, there have been rumours that he could return as president or sporting director, but he has also denied that.

“Stop comparing Lamin Yamal to Lionel Messi” – Guardiola

Lamin Yamal has shown unprecedented explosiveness at such a young age, and his status and situation have led people to compare him with the great Lionel Messi. Guardiola believes that this comparison is premature.

“I think Ramin Yamal should be allowed to continue his career. Wait until he’s played for 15 years and then we’ll decide if he’s good or bad. Let him continue his career. They compare him to Messi, which means a lot. It’s like comparing a painter to Van Gogh. They say, ‘Wow, he’s good, it shows he’s good.'”

“That’s 90 goals a season for 15 years, non-stop, and without injuries. That means a lot. Leave him alone. Leave him alone.”