“I don’t even know myself” – Pep Guardiola appears in first interview since Manchester City exit | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has admitted he has no idea what his next move in football will be, speaking publicly for the first time since leaving Manchester City last weekend.

The 55-year-old was attending an inaugural Cruyff Foundation event on Saturday when he reflected on his decade at the Etihad Stadium and addressed the question of what comes next, offering no indication of any concrete plans for his immediate future.

Guardiola confirmed his City departure earlier this month after ten years in charge, with reports suggesting he will take a year-long sabbatical and that a return to club management is considered very unlikely.

His final game was Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, which served as a shared farewell alongside Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Guardiola: I don’t even know myself

Speaking at the Cruyff Foundation event, Guardiola said of his City spell: “It has been really good, really fun. It was an incredible experience, I could not imagine to be 10 years there.”

Reports had suggested Guardiola intended to take a year-long sabbatical following his City exit, with a return to club football considered very unlikely by those close to him. On his future plans, the Catalan added: “I don’t even know myself.”

What is the wider context for Guardiola’s future?

The Spain national team has been floated as a potential future role, though nothing concrete has emerged from either side.

Guardiola told his players and supporters throughout his farewell weeks that the moment energy and passion fade is the moment to step away, making Saturday’s admission that he does not know what comes next consistent with everything he has said since confirming his exit.

Enzo Maresca is expected to be confirmed as City’s new manager imminently, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak having assured supporters that the club are “far from peaked” and built to continue winning regardless of who occupies the dugout.