MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola has vowed to take a break from football when his time at Manchester City is over, but stifled speculation that he is leaving the club any time soon in a pre-game interview on Friday.
Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension with City in November, raised eyebrows when he told ESPN Brasil: 鈥淚 want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I鈥檓 going to stop. I鈥檓 sure. I don鈥檛 know if I鈥檓 going to retire, but I鈥檓 going to take a break.鈥�
The 54-year-old clarified the comments ahead of City鈥檚 Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
鈥淣ooo! No, no, no I didn鈥檛 say I鈥檓 leaving now or at the end of the season. Well, if they sack me, yes,鈥� Guardiola told Sky Sports.
鈥淏ut I鈥檓 saying when I finish my time here, I don鈥檛 know in one year, two years, three years, four years, five years, six years 鈥� I don鈥檛 know 鈥� I will take a break. I won鈥檛 retire but I will take a break, for sure.鈥�
City had kicked off the season hoping to win a record-fifth successive Premier League title, but the team has had a rough season and were fourth in the table before Friday night鈥檚 game, 21 points behind Liverpool who clinched the title last weekend.
鈥淒o you know what it means in football to have a two-year contract for managers? It鈥檚 an eternity!鈥� Guardiola told Sky at Etihad Stadium.
鈥淲hat I鈥檓 saying is when I finish here, I will take a break. I need to make a stop, that鈥檚 all. But still we are here to beat Wolves.鈥�