Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has revealed that Pep Guardiola frequently threatened to resign during his decade-long tenure, but those threats were often dismissed as emotional reactions rather than genuine intentions. In a recent interview, Al Mubarak compared Guardiola’s behavior to the classic tale of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf,’ suggesting that the manager’s dramatic claims were not to be taken at face value.
Guardiola officially left Manchester City after the 2025/26 season, following a campaign where the club failed to secure the Premier League title, losing out to Arsenal. Despite this, he departed as the most decorated manager in City’s history, having won numerous trophies over ten years.
Al Mubarak emphasized that Guardiola’s resignation threats occurred predominantly during difficult periods. ‘Over the decade, he must have talked about leaving a hundred times,’ Al Mubarak stated. ‘When he says he’s quitting, you can’t really believe him because it happens so often. You have to manage him carefully.’
The chairman also opened up about his personal relationship with Guardiola, describing it as more than just professional. ‘He is a friend, and I’ve often acted as his psychiatrist. Whenever he wanted to leave, I fought to keep him because I knew that was the right decision for the club,’ Al Mubarak explained.
Regarding Guardiola’s successor, Al Mubarak urged fans to remain patient, promising that the club has secured a top-tier replacement. ‘Trust us—we have chosen the best possible manager, and we will announce it soon,’ he assured.