Pep Guardiola has revealed that he intends to take a break away from football when he decides to leave Manchester City, but has expressed his desire to manage an international team when he returns.
The 51-year-old has been with the Citizens since 2016, but he now has less than 15 months remaining on his contract and his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain.
Guardiola has been linked with the national teams of both Brazil and Argentina in recent weeks, and although the Spaniard claimed earlier this month that he would be 'willing to stay at Man City forever', he has declared his ambitions to coach on the international stage.
"One day I would like to be the coach of a national team, but I would not like to choose it immediately. I need to rest for a while," Guardiola told AS Argentina.
A potential move to Argentina could see Guardiola reunite with legendary forward Lionel Messi, who has been praised by his former Barcelona coach.
"Messi means everything in my career. I felt what Phil Jackson could feel with Michael Jordan because I had Leo Messi. I owe Messi everything. Everything, everything everything. He made me more competitive," Guardiola added.
"We had an impressive group of players, there were a lot of stars who created a unique chemistry between them. Without him, we too would have won. But how much? Impossible. I owe him a bottle of wine to thank him for all the contracts he made me sign."
Guardiola has won a total 31 trophies as a manager with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City, including 10 with the latter, and there could be more silverware on the way with the Citizens this season.
Oliver Thomas
