Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has confirmed that Pep Guardiola sought to resign from the club multiple times before his eventual exit following the 2025/26 season.
Guardiola concluded his decade-long tenure at Manchester City after failing to clinch the Premier League title against Arsenal in the 2025/26 season. He departed as the most successful manager in the club’s history.
Chairman Al Mubarak remarked that the Catalan coach had threatened to leave on numerous occasions throughout his ten years with the club.
He stated via GOAL, “Inevitably, we have experienced many highs and lows, and during the lows, he must have threatened to quit a hundred times over these ten years,” Al Mubarak revealed.
“There is a well-known story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf. In Pep’s case, when he claims he is quitting, it does not necessarily indicate he is actually leaving. You cannot take it too seriously – he requires management.”
Al Mubarak further discussed the relationship he shares with Guardiola and how he has been able to convince him to stay at Manchester City whenever he expressed a wish to leave.
“He is more than just the manager of the club,” Al Mubarak expressed. “To me, he is a friend. Over the years, we have forged a close friendship, and while he may not acknowledge it, I consider myself his psychiatrist. Throughout these years, I have consistently fought to retain him and have always brought him back because I recognised that was the solution.”
When asked about who would take over from Guardiola, Al Mubarak encouraged fans to be patient and to trust the club as they evaluate their options.
“Please be patient with us. We will announce the successor very soon, and you can be assured that we have selected and secured the best possible manager.”