Prediction and Best Bets for Pep Guardiola’s Next Club

Pep Guardiola has won everything there is to win as a European soccer manager.

With two Champions League triumphs, multiple domestic titles, and countless individual honors to his name, the iconic Spaniard is undoubtedly one of the top coaches in the game.

Still, his relationship with a section of Manchester City’s fanbase isn’t exactly perfect. And that got me thinking – where will Guardiola go next?

The 50-year-old managed Barcelona for four years before spending three years at Bayern Munich. Considering he has just entered his sixth season with Man City, it feels like his time at the Etihad Stadium could be nearing its end.

In this piece, I look at the odds for Guardiola’s next club and discuss where we could end up. After going over the main candidates, I share my prediction for which team Guardiola manages next.

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that all the top online sportsbooks view Barcelona as the most likely destination for Guardiola.

Not only did Guardiola spend the majority of his playing career at Camp Nou, but he also enjoyed three hugely successful years in the manager’s seat – guiding his boyhood club to unrivaled domestic and European success between 2008 and 2012.

As a Catalonian, Guardiola probably wouldn’t hesitate to return to Barca. I mean, the club is in his blood – so he wouldn’t exactly need persuading.

Since Guardiola’s departure in 2012, Barcelona has gone through six managers – many of whom lasted a matter of months in the Camp Nou hot seat. Ronald Koeman is currently at the helm, although his position is by no means safe.

If Koeman leaves Barca at the end of the season and Guardiola decides to call it a day at Man City, the door would be open for his return.

Conquered Spain? Check. Dominated the German Bundesliga? Check. Mastered the EPL? Check. But what about Italy?

Guardiola has already won three domestic titles in Spain, Germany, and England. However, he has yet to manage in Serie A. If he wanted to try his hand in Italy, he would almost certainly go to Juventus.

The Old Lady isn’t the top dog in Serie A anymore. Inter prevented Juve from clinching a tenth consecutive scudetto last season, with Milan and Atalanta also finishing above the Turin club in the table.

Under returning head coach Max Allegri, the fallen giant has made a dreadful start to the new season – recording two draws and two losses in the opening four league games.

Having enjoyed vast success at club level, it is difficult to imagine Guardiola managing on the international stage. That said, if he did go into national-team coaching, he would surely opt to manage Spain.

The Spanish national team enjoyed unparalleled success under Vicente del Bosque between 2008 and 2016, winning two European Championships and one World Cup. Since then, however, the country hasn’t had much to shout about.

Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro, and Robert Moreno have all come and gone in the past few years, leaving current boss Luis Enrique to pick up the pieces.

Interestingly, Enrique took over from Guardiola as Barcelona B manager before managing the Barca first team after Guardiola’s departure. It could be a case of role reversal in the not-too-distant future.

It is worth pointing out that Spain isn’t likely to part ways with Enrique until after the 2022 World Cup, meaning the position wouldn’t be available until next December at the earliest. Still, you can’t write off Guardiola coaching his country.

Given that Guardiola has managed three of the biggest clubs in world soccer moving to the States might seem like a strange option. But that doesn’t mean a move to Major League Soccer is off the cards altogether.

In fact, MLS side New York City FC is a sister club to Man City, with City Football Group owning both clubs. This makes NYCFC a realistic destination for Guardiola.

Although he could still coach at the very highest level in Europe for many years to come, he might want a new challenge after leaving the Etihad. Having already conquered Spain, Germany, and England, the US could be an attractive option.

Soccer in the States is growing all the time, with numerous Europeans moving to MLS in recent times. Of course, Guardiola would undoubtedly be the most high-profile arrival. But it could still happen.

Something tells me that Paris Saint-Germain isn’t high on the list of Guardiola’s priorities. Don’t get me wrong, PSG is a massive club. But I can’t see Guardiola managing in Ligue 1 anytime soon.

The odds for PSG as Guardiola’s next club have dropped following Lionel Messi’s arrival in the French capital. Guardiola worked with Messi at Barca for a number of years, making a fairytale reunion a slight possibility.

However, when you consider Guardiola’s options, PSG doesn’t feel like a probable destination for the Spaniard.

On top of that, the Parisians appointed former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino in January. In July, the Argentine extended his contract until 2023 – so he isn’t likely to leave the Parc des Princes in a hurry.

Let’s face it – Guardiola wouldn’t be short of options if he left Man City, would he?

The legendary coach has already proved that he is capable of winning trophies wherever he goes, meaning just about every major club would be on red alert if his services became available.

Let’s not forget the ex-midfielder played almost 400 games for Barca before becoming one of the most successful managers in the club’s history. The unbreakable bond between Barcelona and Guardiola is difficult to ignore.

With the Catalans in a mess both on and off the field, Guardiola will surely want to save his boyhood club.

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