Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has disclosed that manager Pep Guardiola contemplated resigning numerous times during his decade at the club, before ultimately departing at the conclusion of the current season.
Guardiola concluded his tenure with an exceptional record, securing six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his highly successful period at the Etihad Stadium. Despite the remarkable achievements, Al Mubarak indicated that the emotionally driven Spaniard frequently considered stepping down during challenging periods.
"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," Al Mubarak stated in comments made to the club's media channels. He elaborated, "You don't take it that seriously - you have to manage him."
Al Mubarak further explained his role in retaining Guardiola, saying, "Whenever he quits or whenever he thinks it's time, I will always convince him to come back, until the time where I know it's actually the real time - and we reached that. I knew it and that's why I didn't fight it." Guardiola amassed 20 trophies with City, including domestic cup doubles in his final season, but cited a lack of energy as a reason for his departure.
Addressing concerns about the club's future performance, particularly following a second-place finish in the Premier League this season, Al Mubarak expressed confidence. "We are far from peaked. We are used to - because it's in our DNA - winning. This is a club that is designed, built to win. Obviously with the additions we're going to make this summer, I am very confident. I think next year we're going to come back very strong."
The club is reportedly set to appoint former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as Guardiola's successor. Al Mubarak assured supporters that the selection process was thorough, stating, "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 added that an announcement is imminent and that the chosen candidate will be "the best manager possible."
