Pep Guardiola’s Man City Exit Fuels Fascinating Market Speculation

Pep Guardiola may have just left Manchester City, but that hasn’t stopped bookies from pricing up odds on where he will end up next. The Catalan brought the curtain down on an incredible 10-year stint at the Etihad on Sunday following City’s final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa, and it was speculated he would take a short sabbatical.

However, reports emerged last week indicating Guardiola will take up a new global ambassadorial role with City, offering technical advice to clubs under the City Group umbrella, including Girona and New York City FC. While he hasn’t completely severed ties with City, speculation has mounted over his next managerial position.

England calling

Despite stating he has no “definite plans” over his next challenge, Guardiola has been linked with the England job in the past. This first surfaced after Euro 2024 when Gareth Southgate quit. At the time, Guardiola was mooted as a potential candidate while Lee Carsley held down the post on an interim basis.

Now, fresh rumours have abounded that Guardiola could take over the reins with England. William Hill has priced the Catalan at shortish odds of 5/2 to land the coveted job, even though Thomas Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension earlier this year to prolong his stay in charge of the Three Lions.

Although Guardiola was quite coy when pressed about the England link, Tuchel is under pressure to deliver as he heads to his first World Cup presiding over the national team. Given Guardiola’s vast managerial experience in England, there appears to be some logic to William Hill’s pricing.

Italy in the mix

Italy has also emerged as a possible destination for Guardiola. Gennaro Gattuso resigned last month after failing to guide the Azzurri to the World Cup Finals this summer, causing a power vacuum.

William Hill has offered odds of 11/4 for Guardiola to take over, but he could face competition for the position. Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, who left Napoli last weekend, has been forthcoming in bemoaning the Italian federation.

Conte insists Italy needs a top coach like Guardiola. However, he questioned whether the Italian federation has sufficient funds to lure Guardiola, who has also been touted to take over Brazil (9/2), to succeed Gattuso.

Romanticising a Barcelona return

In terms of possible club options, a romantic return to Barcelona has also been fuelled by William Hill. A price of 11/2 is floating about, but it remains to be seen whether Guardiola, who perfected the art of tiki-taka football, would be tempted.

During his four-year spell, Guardiola claimed 14 trophies. The 2010/11 campaign was arguably his most fruitful, as Barca gained, on average, 2.53 points per game, guiding the club to an incredible treble of La Liga, Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup.

Emotional City farewell

Guardiola, who surpassed Les McDowall as City’s longest-serving manager (593 games), hauled in 20 trophies at the Etihad. The 55-year-old will be an extremely tough act to follow, but Guardiola was moved to tears during an emotional farewell speech after the Villa game.

He said:

“I’m so nervous right now. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?

“Over the next few years, if you see me in the streets or at the Etihad Stadium, if you are a City fan, come to me. It has been a huge honour to represent this club. Every decision I took, I thought this was best for the club. I love you so much. It has been fun.”