Manchester City chairman says Guardiola considered quitting 100 times before exit

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said Pep Guardiola considered quitting his position about 100 times during his ten-year tenure before stepping down at the end of the current season. Al Mubarak made the comments in an interview with the club's media channels on Thursday.

He described Guardiola as an emotional manager who frequently voiced frustration during difficult stretches but rarely followed through on resignation threats. "Inevitably over these last 10 years we've had a lot of ups and some downs, and in the downs, he must have quit 100 times over these 10 years, just so you know, just for the record," Al Mubarak said.

Guardiola's achievements and departure Guardiola won 20 trophies with City, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. He announced his departure after the season, citing a lack of energy to continue leading the club. City finished seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League this season, ending a run of consecutive titles.

Al Mubarak rejected suggestions that the club had peaked. "We are far from peaked. We are used to — because it's in our DNA — winning," he said.

He indicated an announcement would come soon. "What I can say at the moment is we've gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced, I am convinced, that we will bring in the right manager for this club," he said. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked as Guardiola's assistant at City in 2022-23, is widely expected to be named the next manager.