'I would need a break after seven years' - Guardiola hints at Manchester City exit when contract expires in 2023

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The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach says he will consider becoming an international boss after leaving Etihad Stadium

Pep Guardiola has hinted he is likely to leave Manchester City at the end of his current contract, which runs out in 2023.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has suggested his next move will be to become an international coach.

The Catalan coach signed a two-year contract extension in November 2020 which will mean he will have been with the Premier League club for seven years, more than anywhere during his coaching career.

“The next step will be a national team, there is a possibility. International football is the next step," Guardiola told an XP Investimentos event, as per Brazilian website Globo.

"I would need a break after seven years [at City], I need to stop and look around, learn from other coaches, and I might take that road. I would like to coach in a European Championship, a Copa America, a World Cup."

Asked about the possibility of taking charge of Brazil, he added: "They are a fantastic team. I've already worked with some of their players, and competed against others. A fantastic national team, Brazil is always a strong candidate or the favourite [for trophies]. Always has been and always will be.”

Guardiola was previously in charge at Barcelona for four seasons and Bayern for three but has always maintained that he cannot see himself staying in one job for too long.

He took a one-year sabbatical in New York between Barca and Bayern but moved straight to Manchester from Germany and has enjoyed an unprecedented period of success with three Premier League titles in five years, although the Champions League remains out of his grasp.

The former Barca midfielder won 47 caps for Spain but he is unlikely to manage the country because of his pride at being at Catalonian.

His former assistant Domenec Torrent has said that he would consider coaching Brazil in the future and he has helped the careers of Ederson, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has also enjoyed his time in England and the current squad includes several young City players including Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and John Stones.

2021-08-25 23:00:02

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