Pep Guardiola’s Close Advisor Recommends He Leave Manchester City to Find a New Challenge

One of Guardiola’s trusted confidants suggests it’s time for the coach to step away from Manchester City, take a break, and pursue a fresh project. Carles Planchart, a former performance analyst who worked closely with Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City, believes a managerial break could help prolong his career.

Guardiola’s contract with City runs until 2027, and he has previously hinted at needing time off after ending his journey at the Etihad. Planchart emphasizes that a project should ideally last about five to six years, advocating for Guardiola to seek new challenges rather than remain in a cycle that might drain his energy.

He praised Guardiola’s passion for football, describing him as a creative genius whose strength lies in innovating the game. Despite recent struggles—finishing third in the Premier League after a streak of titles—Planchart notes that fatigue and injuries contributed to a dip in performance last season.

Guardiola experienced visible stress during matches, even joking about self-harm after a draw with Feyenoord, though he later apologized. Planchart attributes the team’s poor performance to a lack of vitality among players and staff, compounded by injuries and overexertion. He explained that maintaining peak energy levels is essential in football and acknowledged the challenge of staying consistently motivated.

Having worked with Guardiola since 2007, Planchart understands his dedication to the sport. He believes a new project could reinvigorate Guardiola and enable him to continue shaping football in innovative ways.

Guardiola’s decision to pause or move on is ultimately personal, but his close associate advocates for a strategic break to recharge his creativity and passion for the game.