Guardiola’s Exit Long In The Making – Man City Chief

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has disclosed that former manager Pep Guardiola considered walking away from the club on numerous occasions before eventually ending his long and successful spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola departed City at the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, bringing to an end a decade filled with major trophies and unforgettable achievements.

During his tenure, the Spaniard transformed the club into one of Europe's dominant forces, collecting multiple domestic titles as well as a UEFA Champions League crown.

Reflecting on Guardiola's time at City, Al Mubarak revealed that the highly demanding coach often became frustrated during difficult periods and frequently spoke about stepping down.

However, he said those moments never developed into serious exits because the club understood Guardiola's emotional nature and always found ways to keep him focused on the project.

The City chairman explained that there came a point when it became clear Guardiola's decision was final, prompting the club to begin planning for life after one of the most successful managers in its history.

Despite City's recent failure to reclaim the Premier League title, Al Mubarak dismissed suggestions that the club's best years are behind them.

He expressed confidence that strategic additions during the transfer window would strengthen the squad and help the team compete for major honours again next season.

Attention is now turning to Guardiola's successor, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca widely expected to take over the managerial role in the coming weeks.