The 55-year-old addressed his departure at his pre-match press conference on Friday, explaining that both he and the club needed something different heading into a new era.
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“I think the club needs a new manager, new energy with these incredible players that we have right now and you start to write another chapter,” Guardiola said. “I feel I will not have the energy that requires – matches every three days, the expectations to fight for the titles, being in front of the players.”
The Catalan also ruled out an immediate return to coaching. Since taking charge of Barcelona in 2008, Guardiola has had just one year away from the game – a sabbatical in New York before joining Bayern Munich in 2013.
“I will not train for a while. It’s not 10 years – I’ve been, except for a year in New York, 17, 18 years, every three days, three days, three days. I need to breathe a little bit and relax.”
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Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup and Conference League in his only full season at Chelsea, is set to succeed him at the Etihad.
City announced that a stand at the Etihad will be named in Guardiola’s honour and a statue has been commissioned. A parade through Manchester takes place on Monday to mark his legacy and this season’s League Cup and FA Cup triumphs.
“It’s been the experience of my life,” Guardiola said. “I gave everything until the last drop. I am leaving with incredible peace in my soul.”
– AFP
Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
