Pep Guardiola Delivers Shocking Truth About His Barcelona Comeback Dreams
Pep Guardiola is preparing for yet another campaign as he attempts to guide Manchester City back to Premier League glory.
While it may not appear obvious, this will mark Guardiola's tenth season managing the blue half of Manchester, representing his longest stint at any single club. Despite this extended period, he continues to regularly declare that Barcelona remains his beloved club, leading many to speculate about an eventual homecoming to where he first emerged as both player and coach.
Nevertheless, Guardiola appears to have closed the door on any potential return. During a conversation with GQ, the Spanish tactician discussed various topics, including whether he would welcome another stint at his former club.
"That chapter is closed. It's finished permanently," Guardiola confessed. "It was absolutely wonderful, but that era has ended."
When questioned about potentially returning in a presidential capacity at Barcelona, his response was even more definitive: "Absolutely not! I'm completely unsuited for such a role."
These statements will devastate Barcelona supporters who harbored hopes of witnessing their most accomplished manager in club history make a triumphant return.
Throughout his managerial reign from 2008—2012, Guardiola led Barcelona to unprecedented success, capturing every available trophy, including two Champions League crowns and three La Liga championships across four seasons. Yet what remains most unforgettable is their playing style. Guardiola's Barcelona squad will eternally be remembered as among the finest teams—possibly the finest—in football history.
More than ten years have elapsed since then. Currently, Guardiola begins his tenth campaign with Man City, aiming to wrestle back the Premier League title from Liverpool and secure a seventh English championship for his impressive collection.
At 54 years of age, Guardiola has coached Barcelona, Bayern Munich and currently Man City across 16 seasons, claiming league championships in 12 of those campaigns. With two years remaining on his City contract, he acknowledges his managerial career is approaching its conclusion. What follows next? A much-needed sabbatical.
"I'm certain that following my time with City, I'll step away. That decision is final, absolutely final," Guardiola disclosed. "I'm uncertain whether it'll be two, three, five, 10, or 15 years. But after City, I'll retire from management—I must focus on myself and my wellbeing. So my current intention is to step back... and then assess the situation."