What will make Pep Guardiola leave Manchester City? A former assistant of the Catalan manager revealed team harmony is of prime importance to Guardiola and without that plus the players getting out of hand, the boss will surely leave and "look for other things," to do.
The likelihood of Guardiola calling it quits emerged when UEFA slapped a ban on City that will keep the club from competing in Europe. The Spaniard is on his fourth season with the Premier League club, and there is no indication an extension of his contract is forthcoming.
The records also showed that managing a club beyond four seasons is not Guardiola's thing. Like his stops in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the Catalan opted for the way out on his own accord before or after reaching his fourth year.
Guardiola may do the same with City as the manager is set to start his fourth campaign with the club, which could be his last.
According to Domenec Torrent, Guardiola's No. 2 man for 10 years, his former boss will not hesitate to leave a club when he no longer calls the shot. The City coach seemed happy at the moment with the club roster, but if some of the players stop listening and working with him, then it's time to make a change.
The boss will implement the change warranted like the selling and acquiring of players, and if the goal is not achieved, he would realize the one to move out has to be the manager.
"Pep is very intelligent and when he sees that his message isn't getting across, then for sure it will be time to look for other things," Goal reported Torrent as saying.
He further explained that managers tend to get the feel of discontent among the roster, such as when a player no longer has the fire to continue. It is a point that calls for the handing down of hard decisions, and when that fails too, moving on is the best solution available, Torrent said.
These managing principles are in effect in City with Guardiola in charge. While known to be intense and demanding, Mirror said the players appeared to be happy with the way the boss is running the show, and the chief reason is the team's successful run since the Spaniard took over.
City, however, will see the Premier League title captured in 2019 going to Liverpool. The Reds are 25 points ahead of Guardiola's side, and when the season resumes this June, two wins will give Jurgen Klopp the title that has eluded Merseyside club in the last 30 years.
The string of disappointments could prod Guardiola to search for new things to do, as suggested by Torrent, and this possibility emerged amid the rumors that the Catalan might be heading to Italy next following the success he found in England, Germany, and Spain.
