'I could hurt someone' — Guardiola addresses becoming a pundit
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Manchester city boss Pep Guardiola || Image credit: World Soccer Talk

'I could hurt someone' — Guardiola addresses becoming a pundit

Faruq Ibrahim 21:57 - 11.01.2025

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told reporters why he could not become a pundit.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has stated that he could not transition into punditry after coaching, as he is wary of passing judgment on other people's work. 

Pep was a successful footballer in his playing days, and upon retirement, he went into coaching, staying in the sport.

Lately, he has suggested the end of his coaching career is nearing, warranting questions about a future beyond his current job. 

What Pep said 

Manchester City have been uncharacteristically abysmal this season; hence, ahead of their FA Cup clash against Salford tonight, one of the club's owners, Gary Neville, a pundit, quipped that Pep could be sacked if he lost to his Manchester neighbours. 

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have struggled greatly this season

During the pre-match press conference, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist was asked if punditry was something he would consider, as Gary Neville, like Pep, was a player and then a coach before becoming a pundit. 

Guardiola said, "I don't think I'm going to do that. I am cautious. I couldn't make a comment that could hurt my colleagues. I know how difficult this job is, how difficult it is, and I don’t want to pretend sitting there.

"It's so unpredictable and many things happen. I (could) hurt someone sometimes with the delivery. We can agree and disagree. My job is here; their job is there.

"I wanted to defend my club; it's not personal. I know how difficult it is. I was a football player before, now a manager and our business is so complicated and so unpredictable I don’t want to hurt my colleagues in a position to do it. Maybe it will happen in the future—but honestly, I don't think so."

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