Pep Guardiola gave what can only be described as one of the most awkward interviews of all time after Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Burnley.
If you think you read that incorrectly, that’s exactly what happened – City gave themselves breathing space in the top four with victory at the Etihad, but it was marred by yet another sending off for the ill-disciplined Fernandinho.
Here’s the interview. Painful.
MAD: Pep Guardiola's post-match interview after beating Burnley. Not happy. 😳 (📽@BBCMOTD)pic.twitter.com/JtwofhKiOx
— SPORF (@Sporf) January 2, 2017
That seems like evidence enough that he’s on the verge of breaking point at City, but he later confirmed he’s already planning his retirement from football altogether.
This isn’t totally surprising coming from a man who needed to take a sabbatical despite winning anything and everything with Barcelona. Guardiola clearly doesn’t cope well with pressure, and perhaps the Premier League has been a step too far.
“I will be at Manchester for the next three seasons, maybe more, but I am arriving at the end of my coaching career, of this I am sure,” he told NBC.
“I will not be on the bench until I am 60 or 65 years old. I feel the process of my goodbye has already started.”
The Catalan is only eight years into his managerial career and is just 45 years of age but City has undoubtedly been his toughest test yet following his trophy-laden spells with Barca and Bayern Munich.
Despite their latest win, his side are still seven points behind Chelsea having played a game more, so maybe he did have reason to fret after all. And with City’s recent record with managers, he could be lucky if he lasts the three years he’s got planned.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
