A shocking prediction has emerged that Pep Guardiola (55), who has led Manchester City (Man City) for 10 years, will step down at the end of this season.
The British Daily Mail reported on the 26th (Korea time) that Matthias Sammer (59), a former Bayern Munich director general who worked with Guardiola during his Bayern Munich days and is a close friend, said he believes Guardiola will leave Man City at the end of this season.
Guardiola is under contract with Man City, which he joined in 2016, until 2027. But local media continue to speculate that Guardiola could end his 10-year tenure at Man City this summer.
Meanwhile, Sammer, who worked with Guardiola for three seasons at Bayern Munich, also predicted that Guardiola will quit, drawing attention to how events will unfold.
Man City, led by Guardiola, claimed a convincing 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the 2025-26 Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) final at Wembley Stadium in London on the 23rd, thanks to a brace by Niko O'Riley.
Guardiola had won the tournament four consecutive times from 2018 to 2021 and returned to the top of the competition for the first time in five years. It was his fifth Carabao Cup title overall. It also surpassed the four titles held by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sammer congratulated Guardiola on the Carabao Cup victory, saying on Sky Deutschland's football talk show "Sammer and Vassell - Hagedorn Talk," "First of all, I was really happy for him," and recalled, "We worked excellently together for three years. It was really, really good."
Guardiola managed Bayern Munich for three seasons from 2013 to 2016, leading the club to the Bundesliga title each season. He also won the German Football Association (DFB) Cup twice. Sammer served as Bayern Munich's director general from 2012 to 2016.
Sammer said, "I think I know him quite well from his expressions, gestures, look and the way he speaks," and emphasized, "When I look at his face, I instinctively feel that something is wrong." He suggested that Guardiola's recent expressions and gestures have been read as signs of "energy depletion."
He added, "When I look at his face, in many ways such as his eyes and expressions, I feel something is wrong. He looks tired of explaining to people unfamiliar with football who he is and why he cannot always win," and emphasized, "I would advise him to take a deep breath and rest."
Guardiola has appeared to feel pressure amid recent poor results and constant criticism. Man City were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 after losing to Real Madrid this season. In the league, it is practically difficult for them to catch up to leader Arsenal.
The Carabao Cup victory was achieved in that process. Could this win against Arsenal provide new motivation for Guardiola? But Sammer said this victory is not a fundamental solution.
Sammer said, "On the surface, everything may look fine with the Carabao Cup win. But my intuition, when I look at his face, says something is not right. He should step down this summer to regain his energy."
Guardiola himself recently used the expression "massacred" to describe criticism of his tactical choices in an interview, revealing his emotional pain.
Guardiola also hinted at his intention to stay by saying "I will be better next year" immediately after the final against Arsenal. But some local media believe he will seriously consider his future during this international break.
In fact, Man City is also preparing for Guardiola's departure. They have already placed former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca (46) and others on a shortlist. It will be interesting to see whether, as Sammer said, Guardiola will put a period on his Man City tenure after 10 years.
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