Guardiola drops fresh retirement hint as Man City boss admits what he'll miss

CommentsSportFelix Keith and Matty Hewitt17:06, 11 Mar 2026Updated 20:05, 11 Mar 2026Pep Guardiola has once more hinted that his exit from Manchester City - and potentially his retirement from football management altogether - may be approaching. Guardiola's contract with City runs until the summer of 2027, yet there has been persistent speculation suggesting he might depart at the end of this season.

He has repeatedly downplayed those claims in press conferences throughout the campaign. Manchester City has been actively exploring potential successors for the 55-year-old, who has been at the helm since 2016.

Their contingency planning emerged in December, when club officials reportedly evaluated the appointment of his former assistant, Enzo Maresca,as Guardiola's replacement.

There have also been suggestions that Guardiola might transition to a backroom position at City, having accomplished so much with the club, as well as Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Throughout the campaign, there have been ongoing claims that he stand down in the summer, and his remarks ahead of City's Champions League last-16 clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday have intensified speculation among supporters.

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When asked whether he'll miss significant fixtures, such as those against Real Madrid, upon retirement, Guardiola told TNT Sports: "Those games, of course I will miss, I have incredible love in this place, I like to come. The people in Madrid don't expect [it], but I have a lot of respect for this institution, they've done many many good things for world football.

"Yeah, I will miss but I will miss not going to Camp Nou, I'll miss Bayern Munich - hopefully we can go through and go there - and I will miss that, when I stop and retire. I will miss these nights because they are so special.

"I'll miss Selhurst Park as well, I love it. Premier League, these stadiums. I don't know, Champions League I will miss, but Fulham, Crystal Palace, this type [of stadiums], Goodison Park - these stadiums are one of the reasons I adore England, I adore the Premier League, for these kind of - FA Cup! Against League One [teams]... I like a lot! But one day it will be over, right?"

Guardiola took a year's sabbatical from the game after leaving Barcelona in 2012 before moving to Bayern Munich. Speaking candidly about his future plans last July, he hinted that another break might be on the horizon when his time at City concludes.

"I know that after this stage with City I'm going to stop, that's for sure, it's decided, more than decided," he said.

"I don't know how long I'll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, ten, fifteen, I don't know. But I'm going to stop after this stage with City, because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body, on..."

"In Catalan, they say badar. Badar, badar, badar... I want to do this, simply stop and watch the cows go by when the train goes by. My grandfather used to say, you look at me like cows watch the train go by. Well, that's it, you have to stop and watch it go by."