International management or a crack at Serie A - where next for Pep Guardiola after ending 10-year spell at Manchester City?

Pep Guardiola is to depart Manchester City after accumulating 20 trophies across a 10-year spell at Etihad Stadium, including six Premier League titles, three Emirates FA Cups and the club's maiden UEFA Champions League. 

The 55-year-old will leave Manchester as the second-most decorated manager in Premier League history.

His time at the helm yielded a 100-point season, the domestic treble and the league, Champions League and FA Cup treble. 

Guardiola has brought immense success to all three of his jobs as manager so far.

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His time as Barcelona boss between 2008 and 2012 brought 14 trophies, including the treble and two Champions League titles, while his possession-centric style is widely credited to have redefined the modern game. 

At Bayern Munich, his side won the Bundesliga in each of the three seasons, including two domestic doubles, and netted a league record 254 goals in 102 matches.

With such a glittering CV, Guardiola will have his pick of the jobs. So where will he go next? 

What is 'genius' Guardiola's legacy in English football?

Video credit: TNT Sports

International football

A move to international football seems the most plausible option, offering Guardiola the chance to remain in elite football, while stepping back from the day-to-day strains of the club game. 

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the City boss would be interested in taking over Italy - the four-time world champions who are still reeling from missing out on a third successive World Cup. 

Given there is a vacancy and a celebrated Italian tactical tradition, Guardiola may be interested in the prospect of reigniting a sleeping giant.

Elsewhere, Guardiola was first linked with the Brazil job while on sabbatical in 2012 and the idea of marrying the Catalan’s tactical might with Brazil’s 'joga bonito' heritage is an exciting proposition. 

However, Guardiola would have to wait for the Brazil job to open up as Carlo Ancelotti has a contract there until 2030.

Incumbent Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has been in post since 2022, and led La Roja to European Championship glory two years later. 

With two years remaining on his contract, you would imagine only a disastrous showing at the World Cup would lead to De la Fuente’s departure. 

And what about England? It doesn't seem like it will happen any time soon, with Thomas Tuchel contracted until 2028. But should the World Cup go very badly this summer, the FA would almost certainly consider Guardiola.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel at a press conference at the Tottenham training centre on March 30, 2026.

Image credit: Getty Images

Sabbatical

Guardiola is no stranger to time off, having walked away from a trophy-laden four-year spell at Barcelona in 2012 to take a year-long sabbatical. 

Then, Guardiola spent time recharging in New York City and learning German in preparation for his succession of Jupp Heynckes at Bayern Munich. 

So it seems quite plausible that Guardiola will take time out of the game again. In an interview with GQ Hype, published in July 2025, Guardiola insisted he would take time off after City, admitting the break could last anywhere from one year to up to 15 years.

A shot at Serie A

Paris Saint-Germain may soon emerge as an option, with Luis Enrique’s current deal there set to expire in 2027. But Enrique would be a tough act to follow, having guided the Paris club to their maiden European crown. 

Perhaps Guardiola will be mindful of succeeding Enrique, having previously seen his Bayern success overshadowed by Heynckes winning the treble the season before his arrival.

Having played for both Brescia and Roma in Serie A, Guardiola may fancy the task of returning to Italy as a manager and restoring one of their great clubs to former glories.

There is no end to possible suitors for Guardiola in Italy and no end to the possible challenges available to him should he decide that is his next destination.

Media

Should Guardiola wind-down from the day-to-day game, hopefully we will continue to see him on our screens. 

Of course, having regular access to Guardiola’s perspective on the game would be educational.

Whatever comes next for Guardiola, the sentiment of many at the Etihad will be: ”We cannot replace him. We cannot.”

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