Pep explains comments over future and City, United

Matt Stead

Pep Guardiolas has moved to explain recent comments he made regarding his managerial future.

Guardiola raised eyebrows when he suggested last week that he was “arriving at the end” of his coaching career.

The Spaniard was rather tetchy when speaking after Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Burnley, suggesting that “the process of my goodbye has already started”.

But in his press conference on Thursday, Guardiola explained that he simply does not intent to continue managing into his later years.

“All I said was that I would not be still a trainer when I am 60,” he said. “I still stand by that, because I started young and I have been in football for a long time, but at the moment I am 45.

“I have no plans to retire. I love my job and I am in a perfect place to do it, here in England. I am not thinking of retiring in the next four or five years, I am happy at Manchester City and grateful for the chance to come and work here.”

Guardiola then discussed recent comments he made about City and bitter rivals Manchester United.

The 45-year-old stated earlier this week that City “don’t have the history with this shirt” of their neighbours, along with other European giants.

He defended the quotes, saying: “I never said that City is below that level at the moment.

“When I said we were behind Liverpool, United and the other clubs I was speaking about titles won in the past, and I hope people understand that. I think Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world right now and it is my job to make it stronger.

“We have not got the history of those clubs, but we are in a good position to do something about it. Even in the league table right now we are not in too bad a position, it is just that Chelsea have opened up quite a lead. We are two points behind the team in second, and I am happy with that at this stage of the season.”