Manchester City Pep Guardiola Reveals Interest In Coaching National Team

‎Pep Guardiola has no plans to leave Manchester City anytime soon.

‎However, he has often thought about managing an international team and would love to take on the challenge of a World Cup or Euros campaign.

‎”I would love to be in a World Cup, in a Euro, a Copa America,” Guardiola told Reuters.

‎“I have always thought about it. But it depends on many, many things. If it happens, it’s fine. If it doesn’t happen, it’s more than fine as well.”

‎Guardiola has won 12 domestic top-flight titles across Spain, Germany, and England. However, last season, he experienced a trophyless campaign with Manchester City, which was a surprising setback after his previous successes.

‎While he came in for some stinging criticism over his elite squad’s failure on all fronts, Guardiola said he was not interested in “proving the haters wrong” when City start afresh next season.

‎”It’s to prove to myself that I can do it, I don’t want to have those feelings that last season left,” he added.

‎”Because when we win, the wine tastes better afterwards, and you sleep better. I don’t know a manager who loses games and sleeps like a baby. It doesn’t happen. You’ve got to worry. That’s part of our life.”

‎Guardiola’s main priority is to secure another Champions League title with City. If they face Real Madrid again, his longtime rival Carlo Ancelotti won’t be on the opposing sideline, as the Italian now manages Brazil.

‎Just mentioning Ancelotti’s departure seemed to bring a smile to Guardiola’s face.

‎The pair faced each other five times in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, with the Italian coming out on top in all but one.

‎”I’m so happy for him,” Guardiola said. “But I’m so happy that he’s not in Madrid anymore because he always beats me. That I don’t have to handle it anymore.”

‎The Spaniard added that it was unrealistic to expect him to win everything every year, and said that even the most successful athletes lose more than they win.

‎”I won 12 domestic leagues in 16 years. It’s not bad, I would say. But you cannot win all the time. I cannot win the Champions League all the time,” he added.

‎”Michael Jordan, the best athlete I’ve ever seen in my life won six NBA Championships in 15 years. Tiger Woods, one incredible golf player, Jack Nicklaus, I don’t know how many he has.

‎”But they lost more Grand Slams than they won. It happens.”

‎Enjoying a short holiday in Barcelona, Guardiola said he is just trying to live a “normal life” before football pulls him back in, with City set to play in the revamped Club World Cup in the United States from June 14th to July 13th.

‎“Wake up later and don’t be with the players. Try to live what would be a normal life,” Guardiola said.

‎“Go to a concert, lie down on the sofa, read books. I can play golf when my body allows me.

‎”Watch series that people suggest to me during the season to watch, like I’m not able to do.

‎”And I want to tell you something. Usually, I’m going to do the same things as you do in your life.”