Pep Guardiola’s Near-Exit from Manchester City: The One Person Who Convinced Him to Stay
It’s hard to imagine Manchester City without Pep Guardiola at the helm, but the Catalan nearly left the club just months after joining in 2016. According to a new report, it was his assistant coach Domenec Torrent who convinced Guardiola to stay the course at City.
At the time, City was struggling to find their footing under Guardiola’s leadership. The team went winless for six games in his first season, and the pressure was mounting. The loss to Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester, and Everton in a span of just four weeks led to widespread criticism, with many calling for Guardiola’s head.
But it was Torrent, who was living in the same building as Guardiola, who intervened and convinced the City boss to stay. The two sat down over a bottle of red wine and had a heart-to-heart about the team’s struggles. Guardiola has since spoken about the difficulty of losing, saying, "Defeat is not something I’m used to. But it’s part of the process, a normal part of sport. Intellectually I accept it completely but, deep down, it’s still very hard to stomach."
Guardiola went on to lead City to glory, winning six out of the seven previous Premier League seasons and the 2022/23 Champions League. He’s also led the team to a further 10 major trophies, including five Premier League titles.
Torrent, meanwhile, went on to manage New York City, Flamengo, Galatasaray, and Mexican club Atlético San Luis, where he currently works.
So, what’s the takeaway from this story? It’s a reminder that even the greatest coaches need a supporting cast to help them navigate the ups and downs of the game. And sometimes, it’s the people closest to us who can provide the greatest insights and encouragement.
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