Pep Guardiola plans to leave Manchester City in 2023

Julien Laurens believes that Cristiano Ronaldo should choose Manchester City or nothing if he wants Juventus to be his next home. (1:22).
Ronaldo believes Man City is his only way out (1:22).

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, is likely to depart the Premier League champions in 2023. He wants to take a break from international football and said so on Wednesday.

Guardiola signed a new contract at City in November 2020 and indicated that it would likely be his last before he leaves the Premier League side.

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Guardiola stated that the next step would be a national team if it is possible in an online forum for Brazilian company XP Investimentos.

"I think after seven years of being at this club, I will be taking a break. After being here for so many years, I'll need to take a break and reflect on what we have done.

"If I have the chance to coach a national soccer team during the process of stopping, I would be happy." I would like to be a coach at the European Championship, Copa America, or World Cup. That would be something I would like to do.

Guardiola did not say whether he would consider other national teams, but said that he didn’t expect to be hired by “important national teams like Brazil." These national teams typically hire nationals for the job.

Guardiola also praised Brazil’s current team, under coach Tite as one of the top contenders to win the World Cup title next year in Qatar.

"It's a great national team. Brazil is always a strong candidate and the favourite. He said that it was always there and will continue to be.

Luis Enrique, the current coach of Spain, said Thursday that he believes Guardiola would be the perfect candidate for the job.

Guardiola is the best coach for Spain's national team. It would be perfect," Luis Enrique said to reporters. "I would love for him to be [national team] coach."

Guardiola, a former midfielder, has won three league titles with City as well as two with his previous clubs Bayern Munich (now Barcelona) as manager. After lifting two Champions League titles at Barca, Guardiola has yet to win the Champions League trophy at City.

Guardiola won six league titles with Barcelona and the 1992 European Cup as a player. He also scored five goals in 47 internationals in Spain.

Manchester City boss Harry Kane has been following the Tottenham striker closely all summer. However, Kane confirmed Wednesday that he would remain in north London for this season.

Kane shared his excitement on social media: "It was amazing to see the Spurs fans react on Sunday and to read some messages of support that I've received in the past few weeks," he said. This ended speculation about Kane's future.

"I will remain at Tottenham this summer, and will be 100 percent focused on helping the team succeed."

Sources tell ESPN that City are open to the possibility of signing Cristiano Rojo after Kane left Tottenham. Guardiola still has a spot in his squad for a striker after Sergio Aguero's departure to Barcelona. Although City have been trying to downplay the possibility of signing Ronaldo privately, it is not impossible.

ESPN has been told by sources that there are many obstacles to overcome. These include Juventus' demands for a transfer fee and Ronaldo’s high wages which wouldn’t fit in the structure at Etihad Stadium. The Juventus contract is still valid for one year.

This report used information from Reuters, The Associated Press.