After a decade of exceptional success with Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has decided to leave the club and open a new chapter in his career.

The Spanish coach arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, transforming Manchester City into an unstoppable force, not only in England but also in Europe, after winning 20 titles, including 6 Premier League titles and the club’s first ever UEFA Champions League trophy.

Thanks to his historic achievements with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, Guardiola is considered one of the greatest coaches in football history, if not the greatest of all time. His influence on tactical thinking in the game is also equal to the number of titles he has won.

The newspaper Sporting News quoted a source close to Guardiola saying that the decision to leave was “deeply personal” and that he “needs to catch his breath” at the moment, indicating his desire to take a break away from the spotlight before deciding his next step.

Five possible destinations for Pep Guardiola

Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia

Media reports cited by the Spanish newspaper Marca indicated that Saudi club Al Nassr is considering a striking coaching option involving the signing of Pep Guardiola, with claims that the club has already begun preliminary contacts as part of its long-term plans.

These speculations come at a time when coach Jorge Jesus has announced his departure from “Al Alami” after winning the Saudi league title.

According to reports, Guardiola’s representative acknowledged that there had been informal talks with Al Nassr earlier this year.

Although matters have not gone beyond the initial contact stage, merely confirming these communications was enough to spark wide debate in the football world.

The idea of Al Nassr pursuing a coach of this magnitude aligns with the broader ambitions of the Saudi league to raise its global standing by attracting elite coaches alongside top stars.

Despite the absence of any official negotiations so far, the mere link between Guardiola and the Saudi club has added more mystery and excitement about the team’s future.

The possibility of Pep Guardiola and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo being part of the same setup has naturally sparked huge curiosity. On one hand, Ronaldo represents a massive goal scoring machine and a huge global marketing asset.

On the other hand, Guardiola is considered one of the most influential tactical coaches in modern football history, thanks to his possession-based style and his strict training methods.

Al Nassr’s sporting project has largely been built around Ronaldo since his arrival, with the club shaping its identity around his presence and experience.

Signing a coach of Guardiola’s stature would be an even more ambitious step, reflecting a desire to combine star power with elite tactical innovation.

However, despite the excitement, things remain far from concrete.

Guardiola’s camp has made it clear that, although contact is acknowledged, there has been no development toward official negotiations or contractual discussions. At this stage, the interest appears exploratory rather than advanced.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr continues to evaluate its coaching situation as it seeks to maintain its competitiveness domestically and continentally.

The club’s management is believed to be open to ambitious ideas, but it also understands the complexities of signing a coach of Guardiola’s status, especially after his recent successes and strong reputation in Europe.

Ronaldo continues to play a central role on the pitch, scoring goals and providing leadership despite being in the final stages of his career.

The possibility of Guardiola and Ronaldo meeting at Al Nassr remains pure speculation for now, but even the idea alone has managed to attract global attention, reflecting the growing influence of Saudi football and its increasing ability to dominate headlines.

Pep Guardiola, the coach. (AFP)

Spain national team

Coaching the Spain national team may seem like a natural option for Guardiola, but there is a major obstacle standing in the way of this scenario.

Guardiola, who was born in the Catalonia region, has for years been known for his public support of Catalan independence, a sensitive and divisive issue within Spanish society.

In 2017, he took part in a rally supporting the unsuccessful Catalan referendum and called on people to stand up to what he described as “abuses by an authoritarian state.”

Although it would be possible to overcome these differences and work together to lead the national team he played 47 matches for as a player, this step would face complex political and cultural obstacles, especially since the current coach Luis de la Fuente has achieved clear success and has strong reasons to continue unless Spain fails at the 2026 World Cup.

England national team

There are many reasons why Guardiola and the England national team could be a perfect and logical match. After 10 years at Manchester City, Guardiola has developed deep knowledge of English talent, local media, and the country’s football culture. He has also built extensive relationships with players, agents, and club officials, all of which are essential for the success of any national team project.

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract running until 2028, but that does not rule out the possibility of a change after the next World Cup if things do not go as planned.

If Tuchel remains until the end of his contract, Guardiola could become a candidate after a long break.

Italy national team

After Italy missed the World Cup for the third consecutive time, the national team is in a state of major shock.

With Gennaro Gattuso leaving, the Italian Football Federation is waiting for its new presidential elections on June 22 before beginning the search for a new coach.

This position could be appealing for Guardiola, who previously played for Roma and Brescia at the end of his playing career, but there are also obstacles. The leading candidate at the moment is Antonio Conte, who has announced his departure from Napoli at the end of the season, while the names of Massimiliano Allegri and Claudio Ranieri are also being discussed.

The Italian national team has never been coached by a non Italian manager in its history, except for Argentine Helenio Herrera, who shared the role with Italian Ferruccio Valcareggi for only one year in the 1960s.

Argentina national team

Could Guardiola become the coach of the Argentina national team for Lionel Messi’s farewell tour?

Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and is considered one of the best national team coaches in the modern era, is not guaranteed to remain in the job for long.

Reports in 2025 suggested that he felt exhausted by the role, and there were signs at the time that he might resign, although that did not eventually happen.

However, the possibility of his departure after the 2026 World Cup remains open, either by personal choice or due to disappointing results.

If Scaloni leaves, Guardiola could be an ideal candidate to replace him, especially given his historic relationship with Lionel Messi. Even if Messi retires after the World Cup or shortly after, Guardiola would still remain a major dream for the Argentine Football Association.

However, a more natural alternative could be Javier Mascherano, one of Guardiola’s former players, who has previously coached Argentina’s youth teams and achieved success with Inter Miami before his surprising departure this season.