Pep Guardiola’s Future: Insights from Carles Planchart

Call for a New Chapter

Carles Planchart has encouraged Pep Guardiola to consider departing from Manchester City. The performance analyst, who has collaborated with Guardiola at both City and earlier stints at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, shared his thoughts on the coach’s next steps.

A Natural Progression

Planchart remarked to Sport, “Ultimately, it’s a personal choice for him. I believe a coaching project should ideally last around five to six years, at most.” He emphasized that this isn’t merely applicable to Guardiola but to all managers. “After that period, rejuvenation is essential. As a friend, I would advise him to seek a new venture as he still has a lot to offer.”

He further explained the strong bond he’s experienced at City, stating, “The club has treated us like family, creating a work atmosphere that felt like home, which he didn’t quite have at Barcelona or Bayern.”

A Visionary in Football

“Guardiola is genuinely passionate about the game; his life revolves around football,” Planchart noted. “He’s a creative force—a genius. His ability to innovate in football is unparalleled. Many try to imitate, but he stands out as the best.”

Reflections on Last Season

Discussing Manchester City’s challenges during the previous season, Planchart mentioned, “At times, we lacked the necessary energy, and getting caught in a negative cycle is tough. In football, maintaining a peak performance is critical. We faced injuries and had players nearing the end of their careers.”

He acknowledged the overall decline in performance, stating that even staff felt the impact. “The energy dips led us to struggle just to secure a Champions League spot, which, under the circumstances, was an accomplishment. Losing in the cup final was a stark reminder of a disappointing season.”