Pep Guardiola drops bombshell hint to Barcelona fans about stunning comeback

Pep Guardiola recently opened up in an interview with GQ magazine, reflecting on his storied career at Barcelona and his current chapter at Manchester City. Guardiola made it clear that his time with Barcelona, both as a player and coach, is definitively over, stating: “It’s over. It’s over forever. It was beautiful, but it’s done. Return as president? No, I’m not cut out for that.”

Guardiola also discussed his future once his tenure at City ends. He revealed he plans to take an indefinite break before considering any new footballing roles, saying, “One year, two, three, five, ten, fifteen… we’ll see.” This pause, according to Guardiola, will help him reflect and rejuvenate after years at the top of the sport.

Turning his attention to the next generation, Guardiola addressed the rapid rise of Lamine Yamal and the frequent comparisons to Lionel Messi. He cautioned against rushing to judgment: “I think Lamine Yamal should be allowed to make his own career. After 15 years of playing, we’ll be able to say if he’s better or worse. Just let him develop. The fact that he’s being compared to Messi already is a big deal. It’s like comparing a painter to Van Gogh—if they say that, then wow, it must mean he’s good. But comparing him already just shows how promising he is. Still, let him build his own path.”

While praising Yamal’s talent, Guardiola emphasized the enormity of Messi’s legacy: “We’re talking about 90 goals a season, for 15 straight years, without injuries. That’s next-level. Just let it be. Let it be.” He encouraged patience and perspective, highlighting the unique nature of Messi’s achievements.

Guardiola did not shy away from assessing Manchester City’s recent dip in form following their historic run of six Premier League titles. “When you win six Premier Leagues, eventually there’s a drop. It’s human nature. Maybe we should’ve moved more players, but that’s easy to say in hindsight. It was a fall that needed to happen, and it hit deeper than we expected,” he admitted.

As the season progressed, the lack of victories became a reality check for the squad. Guardiola described this period as necessary, adding, “We went months without winning. Thirteen or fourteen games without a win—that had never happened. But it brought us back down to earth. It was healthy. Success can cloud your vision.” The experience, he suggested, was crucial for maintaining perspective.

Finally, Guardiola spoke candidly about the pressures faced by top-level football managers and the unique scrutiny of their profession. He recalled, “For four or five months this season, every away stadium I went to, people were chanting: ‘You’ll be sacked in the morning.’ No other job—architect, teacher, doctor, journalist—has 60,000 people wishing you’d lose your job. But our profession is so well paid, we’re compensated for this. If you can’t take it, do something else.”

His remarks capture the relentless demands of elite coaching and the personal toll it can take, while underscoring his commitment to facing those challenges head on.