Pep Guardiola has his career roadmap all set before he completely steps away from soccer.
On the podcast Desmontadito he revealed his intentions: ''I'm not going to take on another team. I'm not talking about the distant future, but what I won't do is leave to go to another country. I won't have the energy.''
Brazil and Barça to End His Career
''Thinking about starting over, the whole training process... Ugh. A national team, yes, but it's different. It's not a day-to-day basis''
Pep Guardiola is experiencing the worst moment of his nine-year stint at Manchester City. Even so, his contract has been renewed for another year.
But he's clear about it: He'll finish the remaining year at City. Then he'll put himself on the market to take charge of a top national team (Brazil?). Then he'll return home at the end of his career.
Pep Guardiola would like to offer Barça all the experience he's gained in the nearly fifteen years he's been away from the club.
He'll return to Barça, although it won't be with Laporta and certainly far from the responsibilities of the bench. Pep will take an office and run the club behind the scenes.
Like His Beloved Mentor Johan Cruyff: No Office at Barça
Maybe not even that. Like his beloved mentor Johan Cruyff, he might not need to be inside to set the fundamental lines of action.
However, while the national team's moment and Barça's moment arrive, Guardiola is trying to rebuild the empire of a City that's fallen apart.
City is looking for a center-back to fill the black hole in their game. According to GiveMeSport, one of the favorites to strengthen City in that position would be Valladolid's center-back Juma Bah. He's barely 18 years old and hails from Sierra Leone.
The other candidate is none other than Ronald Araújo, who has already recovered from his injury. He is requested tonight in Dortmund but Laporta is eager to sell him at all costs.
Barça Asks City for 80 Million for Araújo
Araújo has never made it easy because he understands that leaving Barça means taking a step down in his career. However, City is one of those few clubs that are always at the top, It's attractive for its goals and it pays well.
Araújo's transfer to City would solve many of Barça's financial fair play issues. This is especially true now, as the club needs fresh money to register Dani Olmo starting January 1st.
Deco and Txiki Begiristain, who's also announced his departure from City at the end of the season, have discussed the matter. Barça values Araújo at 80 million. City would probably pay less, but the deal is good for all three parties.
Could this be the last service Pep provides to Barça from his vantage point at Manchester City?