EPL: Guardiola’s “I’m quitting” comment is not to be taken seriously – Man City Chairman

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has confirmed that Pep Guardiola had attempted to resign from the club on several occasions before his final departure after the 2025/26 season.

Guardiola ended his decade‑long spell at Manchester City after failing to win the Premier League title against Arsenal in the 2025/26 campaign. He left as the club’s most successful manager.

Chairman Al Mubarak said the Catalan coach had threatened to leave on numerous occasions during his ten years with the club.

Speaking to GOAL, Al Mubarak noted, “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.”

“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,” he added.

Al Mubarak also discussed his relationship with Guardiola and how he has persuaded him to stay at Manchester City whenever the manager expressed a desire to leave.

“He is more than just the manager of the club,” Al Mubarak said. “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 who would succeed Guardiola, Al Mubarak urged fans to be patient and to trust the club’s selection process.

“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.”