Despite signing a contract extension in November 2024, the series reveals how close Guardiola came to not renewing his deal.
In one scene, the manager reveals to director Kevin Macdonald that, after losing four games in a row in 2024, he told the club: “Maybe it’s over.”
In a separate scene, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says that he was not sure he was going to be able to convince the legendary manager to stay at the club.
“You know the boy that cried wolf? He is the boy that cried wolf,” the Emirati said.
“I always convince him, but last year, I knew, this time he actually saw the wolf.”
There were various mitigating circumstances for City’s disappointing campaign in 24-25, including the 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules hanging over the club and the long-term injury of 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
Amid that, Guardiola’s personal life was in turmoil as he went through a divorce and there was media speculation about his mental state when the 55-year-old appeared with multiple scratches on his head and nose following a disappointing 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord in November 2024.
While the coach does not admit to the idea that his personal struggles affected his ability to do his job, Manel Estiarte, a long-time member of Guardiola’s technical staff, speaks about how he had to address players who were worried by their manager’s behaviour.
“They were worried because Pep was anxious,” he says.
“He was sad. He was different. And only I knew the reason.
“And I said to the team, ‘please, you have to understand, you’re not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive, who can be a bit intense, who can be sometimes up and down. You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce’.”
Alongside scenes where Guardiola obsesses over tactics, there are many where he gives candid speeches and berates his team.
Following a defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, he tells his squad: “I work for you and I leave my life, my divorce and my family is away and everything for all of you. And what do you give back?
“The performance you have done, all of you. It’s a disgrace guys.
“When I see that, I am exhausted, I’m drained, I want to quit. When you play like this, I feel alone.”
In some scenes, the Spaniard warns his team that they will “get a new manager” if performances do not improve.
In others, he speaks about using a knife to get into their hearts and insists on his squad hugging one another and himself before matches, even blaming poor performances on lukewarm goal celebrations.
Guardiola stepped down as City manager at the end of the 25-26 campaign after 10 years at the Etihad, during which time he won 20 trophies, including both the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season.
Speaking about his next steps, he says: “I don’t know even myself what I am going to do,” adding: “It will be difficult to come back. That’s my feeling today. I need to refresh many things that happened in my personal life.”
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