Pep Guardiola has officially drawn the curtain on his illustrious spell at Manchester City this season, concluding a decade that redefined English football with unmatched dominance. While his exit left fans in shock, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak disclosed that the Catalan tactician had considered walking away many times during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

The boy who cried wolf

Al Mubarak shared insights into the emotional and psychological complexity of working with one of football’s greatest minds. He admitted that Guardiola’s intense personality occasionally led to moments of emotional exhaustion, where the manager felt he could not continue. However, Guardiola only made the final decision to step down at the end of this season.

“Over the years, we’ve gone through many highs and a few lows, and during the lows, he must have quit a hundred times in these ten years,” Al Mubarak revealed. “There’s that story everyone knows – The Boy Who Cried Wolf. With Pep, when he says ‘I quit,’ it doesn’t actually mean he’s quitting. You learn not to take it too seriously – you have to manage him properly.”

A friendship beyond the dugout

The strong personal relationship between Guardiola and Al Mubarak has been a major factor in Manchester City’s sustained success, which delivered 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the long-awaited UEFA Champions League crown. The chairman explained how their connection evolved into a close friendship, one that often helped him persuade Guardiola to stay during challenging times.

“He’s more than just the manager of our club,” Al Mubarak said. “To me, he’s a friend. Over the years, we’ve become very close, and while he might not admit it, I see myself as his psychiatrist. I’ve always tried to pull him back whenever he wanted to go because I knew that was the right thing to do.”

Recognising when it was real

After several false alarms in the past, Al Mubarak realised that Guardiola’s latest decision to leave was genuine. The 55-year-old, who had extended his contract multiple times in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, finally felt the need to take a break after years of relentless pursuit of excellence.

Explaining the situation, Al Mubarak added: “This time, both of us knew it was real. And because we both understood that, it felt like the right and natural move for him. He never thought he would stay beyond four years, then it became five, and after that, every extension was a question of ‘How much longer?’ It always had to feel right, and we knew eventually the moment would come when it truly was time.”

The search for a successor

Manchester City now faces the challenge of moving forward without their most successful manager. Former assistant coach Enzo Maresca has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the role. Despite the enormity of the change, Al Mubarak called on City supporters to remain patient and trust the club’s process.

Speaking about the appointment of the next manager, Al Mubarak said: “We ask the fans to stay patient. Very soon, we’ll make the announcement, and I’m confident everyone will be satisfied knowing we’ve chosen the very best person for the job.”