Pep Guardiola is set to conclude his illustrious 10-year tenure as Manchester City manager following Sunday's game against Aston Villa. As he prepares to step down from his role at the Etihad Stadium, the club is already looking towards a transition, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, a previous City assistant, emerging as the top candidate to take over.

Despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Guardiola has firmly stated that he will not advise Manchester City on who should succeed him. He emphasized that a new manager must be unique and authentic, asserting, "It doesn't work to copy and paste in this kind of job. You have to be unique, natural and yourself and the new manager will be himself." Guardiola believes that each coach must forge their own path, and he does not expect to be consulted on the appointment, nor does he wish to be involved in the selection process.

Beyond the managerial transition, Manchester City is also awaiting the verdict of a significant legal case with the Premier League, involving 115 charges related to alleged financial wrongdoing from February 2023. Guardiola has consistently defended the club since these charges were brought, expressing unwavering trust in their conduct. "Because I trust them!" he affirmed. "I trust them! Because I spoke with them and I trust how they behave and how they did. So what happened -- there will be the resolution. I trust them." He remains confident that the club will ultimately be cleared.

As for his own future, Guardiola has made it clear that his immediate plan after leaving City is to "rest." He intends to take an extended break from football, prioritizing time with his children and pursuing personal interests that he missed during his demanding managerial career. While linked with potential international jobs, he hinted at the need for a significant period of reflection away from the sport. "I don't have any absolute plan about my future except to rest and go to recover my time that I missed with my kids when they were growing [up] and many things I've not done I want to do," he explained, adding that he won't be thinking about football "for the next years" as he needs to "reflect" before considering any new roles.