Pep Guardiola contemplated leaving his role as Manchester City manager, admitting, "Maybe it's over," during a period of significant personal and professional stress, according to a new documentary series.
The series chronicles Guardiola's final two seasons at the club, revealing the depth of his struggles as City faced 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules and grappled with injuries to key players, including Rodri. Guardiola's personal life was also in turmoil, marked by a divorce.
In one scene, Guardiola confides in director Kevin Macdonald about his low point. "I told the club: 'Maybe it's over,'" he stated. This sentiment was echoed by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who expressed uncertainty about his ability to retain the manager. "I always convince him, but last year, I knew, this time he actually saw the wolf," Al Mubarak said.
Guardiola's struggles were visible, with media speculation arising after he appeared with scratches on his head and nose following a draw against Feyenoord in November 2024. A long-time member of Guardiola's technical staff, Manel Estiarte, spoke in the documentary about addressing player concerns regarding the manager's behavior. "They were worried because Pep was anxious. He was sad. He was different," Estiarte explained. "And I said to the team, 'please, you have to understand, you're not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive... You're seeing a human being. He's getting a divorce'."
Despite his personal difficulties, Guardiola remained intensely focused on tactics, but the documentary also captures moments of him addressing his squad with candid speeches and admonishments. After a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, he told his players, "I work for you and I leave my life, my divorce and my family is away and everything for all of you. And what do you give back? The performance you have done, all of you. It's a disgrace guys. When I see that, I am exhausted, I'm drained, I want to quit. When you play like this, I feel alone."
Guardiola also warned his team that they would face the appointment of a new manager if performances did not improve. He employed various motivational techniques, including insisting on team hugs before matches and attributing poor results to lukewarm goal celebrations.
The series also sheds light on a significant confrontation between Guardiola and former captain Kyle Walker during this period. The documentary reveals intense scenes of their disagreement.
Guardiola concluded his tenure at Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 campaign after 10 years, during which he secured 20 trophies, including a domestic double in his final season. Reflecting on his future, Guardiola stated, "I don't know even myself what I am going to do. It will be difficult to come back. That's my feeling today. I need to refresh many things that happened in my personal life."