- Guardiola prepares for final City match
- City boss opens up on what sustained his reign
- Aston Villa clash will mark record-breaking final appearance
Pep Guardiola will take charge of Manchester City for the final time just eight days after lifting the FA Cup, bringing his extraordinary spell at the club to a close with silverware still fresh in the memory.
Antoine Semenyo’s backheel winner against Chelsea at Wembley secured Man City’s second domestic trophy of the campaign.
Their first this season was the Carabao Cup as the Sky Blues won 2-0 against Arsenal at Wembley. Unfortunately, the Citizens couldn’t sustain their form to win the Premier League.
Regardless, Pep Guardiola became the only manager to win two domestic cup doubles in England. Now, after a decade defined by trophies and records, the manager has offered an insight into the everyday feeling in Manchester.
Pep Guardiola reveals why Man City now need new energy
Speaking before the Aston Villa clash, Guardiola admitted that his enjoyment of the daily work was central to his decision to stay for so long.
However, the 55-year-old suggested that the energy required to keep driving the side forward is no longer something he can maintain.
“I love to be here, to wake up, take my car to the CFA, imagine the game, how we can beat our opponents,” Guardiola said.
He added, “Even with a lot of titles, if I did not have fun, I would not have been here 10 years. Everything is about how you have fun. When you lose, you are more sad and disappointed, but in three days you have another.”
“If you feel fatigue and everything’s not as pleasant, you have to leave. It’s not one person, decision; it’s a question of time. 10 years is a lot of time. I have to have energy all the time, and I won’t have it. It’s simple.”
Pep Guardiola is leaving Man City before standards slip
While Guardiola’s impact at the club hasn’t declined, the manager believes that fatigue might slip in if he extends his stay.
Man City are still competitive as they won their second domestic cup double this season. They lost the Premier League to Arsenal, but they remained the only competitors against the Gunners.
After 20 trophies, the Catalan manager has decided to leave before a drop in energy begins to affect the results.
He no longer thinks that he can bring the same daily intensity, following almost two decades in top-level football management.
Enzo Maresca must bring own identity to Man City
Enzo Maresca has been reported to be the obvious successor following Guardiola’s reign in Manchester. While an official announcement is pending, reports from the likes of Fabrizio Romano make it a safe bet to assume the Italian’s signing.
Regardless, despite being a former Guardiola disciple, Maresca has his own take on the game. The Italian is more system-fixed compared to Guardiola, who has adapted through the years.
However, the difference can be good for City as copying the Catalan manager won’t automatically guarantee success. Likewise, Maresca will run his own experiment while keeping the foundations built by Guardiola intact.
