City president reveals that Guardiola threatened to leave the club "100 times"

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak revealed that Pep Guardiola "resigned 100 times" over a decade at the club before stepping down at the end of the season, ending one of the most successful periods in English football history.

In a wide-ranging interview with City's official channels, Al Mubarak stated that Guardiola often considered leaving the club over the years, but was eventually convinced to stay - until the moment the decision became final.

"Inevitably, over the last 10 years we have had many ups and some downs. And, in difficult times, he must have resigned 100 times," said Al Mubarak.

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"There is the story, which everyone knows, of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. In Pep's case, when he said he was leaving, it didn't necessarily mean he was going to leave. You couldn't take it too seriously; you needed to know how to deal with him.

"I always had a very clear understanding with Pep because of this 'Boy Who Cried Wolf' analogy: every time he said he was leaving, I convinced him to come back, until the moment I knew it was really time for him to leave.

"There were times when it wasn't real and he just needed someone to bring him back. But there would always be a time when it was for real."

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Al Mubarak stated that, in addition to becoming a great friend of Guardiola, he also acted as a kind of "psychiatrist", helping the coach to overcome the most difficult periods.

According to him, Guardiola's threats to leave finally came to fruition this season, ending a 10-year spell he called "exceptional".

"We reached that moment, and I knew it. That's why I didn't try to stop him," he said. "In this particular situation, I think he knew, and I knew he knew. I didn't fight the decision because I understood that this time he really meant it."

At the age of 55, Guardiola won 20 titles with Manchester City, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League, before ending his career at the club at the end of a season in which the team finished as runners-up in the English Championship and won the FA Cup and the League Cup.

His departure ended a period in which City consolidated itself as the main force in English football, while at the same time transforming tactical aspects of the sport.

"He changed English football," said Al Mubarak.

"Look at the way the league has evolved, at the way football is played today compared to 10 years ago. In my view, his influence on the game is unquestionable. He has left his mark on this league.

"Very few coaches can arrive and change not just a team, but an entire competition. And Pep did it here."

Despite the departure of the Spanish coach, Al Mubarak assured that Manchester City will continue to evolve and that the club will hire the "right coach" to ensure a smooth transition.

"We are far from reaching our limit," he said. "We are used to winning, because that is part of our DNA. This is a club designed and built to win. What Pep gave us took us to a new level.

"We went through a very careful and structured process, and the team is convinced - as am I - that we are going to bring the right coach to this club.

"We will make the announcement very soon and everyone will be comfortable knowing that we have chosen and hired the best possible manager for Manchester City."

Guardiola's former assistant, Enzo Maresca, is named as the main favorite to take command of the team.

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Source: CNN