Pep Guardiola has admitted that he currently has no inclination to return to football management following his exit from Manchester City. The 55-year-old Spanish coach shared that he is focusing on self-discovery and family life after nearly 20 years of working under the intense demands of top-level football.

Guardiola embraces time away from coaching

Guardiola made it clear that he does not miss football after bringing his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium to an end. The Catalan tactician decided to take a break after ten highly successful seasons with the Premier League champions, a move he described as essential for protecting his mental health and finding new happiness beyond the pressures of the game.

Catalan coach opens up about his decision

In an interview with the OKX platform, Guardiola spoke candidly about his reasons for stepping away from management, noting that his choice was driven by a need for emotional balance and personal growth.

“From a mental point of view, I don’t miss anything at all. I started coaching at 37, and my entire life has revolved around football. Now I want to try and discover life, to find happiness in things that have nothing to do with football,” Guardiola said.

He continued, “I love my profession, but there comes a moment when you realise you have to pause. Perhaps one day I’ll wake up and feel the urge to return to management, but that feeling must come naturally, and today, I simply don’t feel it.”

Family takes centre stage

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss revealed that his decision was largely influenced by a desire to focus on his loved ones and reflect on life’s next chapter. “I’m trying to understand what my life will look like from here on. I stopped because I wanted to take better care of myself. I want to spend more time with my children and my father, who is 95 and still with us. I’m 56 now, not young anymore, and your perspective changes with age. I’m still getting used to this new stage, but it’s going quite well,” he said.

Looking ahead to the future

Although Guardiola seems content with his current lifestyle, he has not completely ruled out a potential return to football. “I began managing at 37, and now I’m 56. I need to experience new things. At this moment, I feel very happy,” he mentioned.

When asked about a possible return to Manchester City, Guardiola responded, “One day, of course, I will go back to the Etihad Stadium. But for now, I prefer to stay behind the scenes. If they ever need me, I’ll be there.”

To conclude, Guardiola also expressed admiration for his former rival Jurgen Klopp, saying, “He was the toughest opponent of my career. He could change his tactical setup every twenty minutes. He used to drive me mad.”