Pep Guardiola's 11-word rationale for leaving Barcelona has resurfaced ahead of his impending departure from Manchester City. After a success-laden 10 years at the helm, Sunday's final-day clash against Aston Villa is expected to be his last in charge.
Guardiola's Career Timeline
Guardiola's spell at City is far longer than his combined stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He spent four years in charge of Barca before taking a year off. Upon his return to work, he managed Bayern from 2013 to 2016.
Leaving Barcelona
While leaving Barca, the club he is indelibly linked to, was a wrench, Guardiola offered a simple explanation, saying: "I felt as if I could no longer lift the team." In an interview with Audi in 2014, he continued: "We were incredibly successful. Winning 14 trophies in only four years was the greatest period in the club's history. But gradually, I found it more and more difficult to motivate myself and to motivate the team. That is when you know it is time to walk away."
Departure from Bayern
He also left Bayern on good terms, openly admitting that he didn't extend his contract with the German giants because he wanted to test himself in English football. After announcing his decision to leave Bavaria, he said: "I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision. I have some offers from England, but I've not signed anything yet. If I were 60, 65 years old, I'd stick with Bayern, but I think I'm too young. I need a new challenge. My career is a long way from over and when I have a new club it will be the club that makes the announcement."
Future Uncertainty
Guardiola, who has previously suggested he would be interested in international management, could again be in need of a fresh challenge after a decade at City. Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, which handed Arsenal the title, Guardiola refused to be drawn on his future. He said: "With the club, I always talk but not now. Three, four seasons ago, when there was one year left, the first thing you have to understand, I should talk with my chairman first. And when I talk with my chairman, we (may) decide to have one more year, we will talk (about) everything and we will decide. We (will) talk in the next days."
