Pep Guardiola confirms plans after landing new job straight after Man City exit | Football | Sport
However, his farewell from City is only a partial one, given the club announced he’d take up the role as Global Ambassador for the City Football Group. A statement from City read: “Despite his departure as Manager of Manchester City, Pep will continue his relationship with the City Football Group, by taking up a role as a Global Ambassador. The role will see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations.”
On the meaning of the role, Guardiola said on Friday: “When we talk I say I would love to continue to be a part of this club. Not manager. I will not take any decisions. Just to be part of the club, to represent. Not in the daily decisions, not in front of the squad, always behind the scenes.”
However, City fans won’t have to worry about him taking charge of another club, at least not yet, with Guardiola admitting it’s time for a much-needed rest. When asked about what comes next, he explained: “Rest! No plans for training for a while. Otherwise I would be here. I need to step back. I will not train [a team] for a while. When we talk I say I would love to continue to be a part of this club. Not manager.
“I will not take any decisions. Just to be part of the club, to represent. Not in the daily decisions, not in front of the squad, always behind the scenes.”
When pushed on if it was the same as Jurgen Klopp, who claimed he was too tired to continue, Guardiola added: “Absolutely.
“I feel I will not have the energy every day, with expectations to fight for the title. I know myself, I have that energy but I feel like I will not have [in the future]. It’s been 10 years. It’s not ambition. After 10 years, ok Pep. It’s good to shake, to move, new faces. It’s the perfect moment, the perfect time.”
Guardiola leaves City with no regrets, having reflected warmly on his body of work across the 10-year spell. He explained: “It’s the time. It’s not like going to sleep one day and the day after to say ‘now is the time’. It’s the process, I felt it for a while.
“The club respect me, the decision. The club has to be ready. This job, it’s Selhurst Park, Anfield, Madrid and Madrid, FA Cup – now I have to live my life and see what happens. The club needs a new manager, new energy, with these incredible players we have right now. And start to write a new chapter.
“It’s not about when. You now the time. It’s not one week ago. We’re in competition, I need the players to be with me and me be with them. And after there is the moment to say ‘ok, I want to say a proper goodbye to my people’.”
