Guardiola thought about resigning from Manchester City 100 times

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manchester City, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, confirmed that the relationship he had with Spanish coach Pep Guardiola over a full decade went beyond professional work to turn into a true friendship, noting that the ten years that the coach spent with the club contributed to reshaping the identity of Manchester City and left a profound impact on English football.

Al-Mubarak said, during a video interview broadcast on the club’s official channel, that Guardiola’s continuity for 10 years in one club is an exceptional matter in modern football, adding: “For us, the coach remaining in the club for ten years, specifically in modern football, is exceptional by all standards. “It is exceptional for the club, the players, the management, and the coach himself, especially in terms of maintaining levels of commitment and ambition throughout this period.”

He added: “When I look back at those years, I realize that they will remain present in the minds of all Manchester City fans, and they will always remember them with pride and happiness for the exceptional moments and unforgettable achievements they witnessed.”

Al-Mubarak spoke about the nature of his personal relationship with Guardiola, stressing that it developed into a close friendship during the long years of work between them.

He said: “I can say that he is more than just a coach for the club, he is a true friend to me. Yes, we are close friends, and over these years we have had a very strong relationship. “I can say, and I don’t know if he would agree with me, that I was sometimes his psychological advisor.”

He explained that real support does not only occur during times of victories, but also during difficult periods, adding: “Together we went through many successes and some failures. For your information, I think that Pep thought about resigning more than 100 times during the past ten years, and here the story of (the false shepherd) that you all know comes to mind.

He continued: “In Pep’s case, when he says he will resign, it does not necessarily mean that he will actually do so, so I was dealing with the matter calmly and working to contain the situation. In fact, he did not imagine from the beginning that he would stay longer than four or five years, and even after that period he was constantly wondering how long he should continue working for. But what distinguished our relationship was that there was a clear and frank understanding between us at all times.”

Change English football

Regarding Guardiola’s legacy and influence on English football, Al-Mubarak stressed that the Spanish coach brought about a major shift in the style of play and football thinking within the English Premier League.

He said: “I believe, with all humility and conviction, that Pep changed English football. It is enough to look at the way the English Premier League and the teams participating in it have developed over the past ten years, and compare the form of the game today with what it was a decade ago.

He added: “I do not think there is any disagreement about the size of the impact that Pep had on football, whether from a tactical or technical standpoint, or even in training methods and match management.”

The future starts from here

Al-Mubarak sent a message to the fans of Manchester City, in which he stressed that the club has not yet reached the ceiling of its ambitions despite the great achievements it has achieved over the past years.

He said: “When I look at what the club was in 2008, and then consider what has been achieved over the past 18 years, I feel very proud. Roberto Mancini led us to our first Premier League title, and we won the FA Cup with him after many years of waiting, and then Manuel Pellegrini continued the path of success by adding a new league title.”

He added: “With the arrival of Pep Guardiola, the culture of winning and excellence was established within the club, and success became part of Manchester City’s identity. This club was built on the foundation of always striving to win, and what Pep achieved put us at a higher level and prepared the club to continue developing in the future.”

Successful season

Regarding his evaluation of last season, and whether it was successful or represented a transitional phase, Al-Mubarak said: “I think both things are true. It was a successful season, because any season that ends with two titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup, in addition to finishing the league in second place while remaining in the title competition until the final stages, is considered a successful season by all standards.

He added: “Even just one week before the end, we were very close to winning the English Premier League title. Therefore, finishing the season in second place with two titles represents an important achievement.”

He concluded: “As for the Champions League, the defeat against Real Madrid cannot be considered a success. But when looking at the full picture, I see that the season was successful, and at the same time it was an important transitional season in the team’s journey.”