Pep Guardiola reveals five-point plans for life beyond football management | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered an overview as to what he plans for life beyond football management having reached 1,000 matches in the game.

After nearly two decades at the top of elite football management, Guardiola has opened up on how he views the next chapter of his life. The Catalan tactician, who has led City through the most successful period in the club’s history, has been reflecting on what comes after the high-pressure world of professional coaching – both personally and professionally.

Pep Guardiola’s comments arrive during a landmark moment in his career with 18 years in management across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City taking him to his 1,000th competitive match in charge against Liverpool.

The milestone has already prompted tributes from footballing figures such as legendary former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, and earned him induction into the League Managers’ Association’s prestigious ‘1000 Club’.

Yet while many expect Pep Guardiola to continue pushing boundaries in the sport, the Manchester City boss’ latest comments suggest that when he does step away from the dugout, his post-football ambitions will be grounded in simplicity, creativity, and family.

Speaking during a new interview with Sky Sports this week ahead of his 1,000th contest in management – coming against Liverpool at the weekend – Pep Guardiola set out his plans for life beyond the touchline.

“Surprises! I want to start to cook. No restaurant… I want to study French, yes or yes. Stay more with my kids, because in this world you’re not much involved. With my family more, sisters and brothers I’m not much in touch, seeing them,” Guardiola explained.

The 54-year-old continued, “And travel. Many, many things I’ve not done, do it! The thousand, million places I didn’t visit, I want to visit; exhibitions, concerts, or staying at home with nothing to do – that’s really good.

“Maybe we’ll start from that, it’s not bad right? Many things to do!”

On whether fans can expect another 1,000 matches in the sport from Guardiola, the Catalan tactician responded, “Keep waiting, my friend… Listen, I don’t know what’s going to happen. If you ask right now, it’s not going to happen – that is my feeling.

“Because life is so beautiful but it’s not [like when you’re] 20-years-old. There are a lot of things I’d like to do, not just every three days having a game, press conferences before and after, dealing with players, the pressure… There are other things in life I want to enjoy!”

Pep Guardiola’s candid words will inevitably renew discussion surrounding his long-term future at Manchester City, currently under contract at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2027.

Over the years, Guardiola has often spoken about his admiration for culture, art, and language, regularly spending his free time in Spain or travelling across Europe. For now, though, Guardiola remains entirely focused on guiding City through another competitive campaign.