Pep Guardiola appeared visibly affected after the painful elimination in the Champions League playoffs, where Manchester City offered one of its worst performances at the Santiago Bernabéu. After the loss, Guardiola spoke about the end of an era and the decisions that need to be made in the future. "End of an era? A little bit, yes, we're already changing things, there are players who have given us a lot and will continue doing things... I have the strength to stay, I want to keep going," said the Spanish coach, hinting at a possible renewal of his project at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola's reflections after the elimination

The strategist made it clear that although Manchester City didn't live up to expectations in this edition of the Champions League, the club is still one of the best teams. "The best team won, they deserve to be in the Champions League. We’ve had a bad competition, finishing 22 in the league phase. It's the year we've been at our worst," Guardiola admitted, showing humility in the face of Real Madrid's strength. However, he emphasized that his team has been "a hell of a team" throughout the season, although various circumstances have affected their consistency. The Spanish coach pointed out that they now need to focus on the Premier League to secure a spot in the top four.

In his analysis of Real Madrid, Guardiola acknowledged that they faced the best Madrid of the season, highlighting their ability to play with long possessions and their versatility in defending both high and low blocks. "We’ve had to face a very strong opponent who has come in at the best moment of the season," he stated, underscoring the superiority of Carlo Ancelotti's side in this tie. Despite the loss, Guardiola praised the white team, making it clear that he knows how to recognize the quality of his rivals.

Is Guardiola's successor in the Premier League?

While Pep Guardiola's future remains uncertain, one name that is gaining traction in the Premier League is Andoni Iraola, who has impressed everyone with his work at Bournemouth. The growing admiration for Iraola in the Premier League makes his name stand out, especially amid the uncertainty surrounding the Spaniard's continuity.

Guardiola's future at Manchester City will depend on several factors. For now, he remains firm in his commitment to the team, but the changes and key decisions made in the coming months could determine whether he stays or if the club will seek a new leader for their project. In the meantime, Andoni Iraola continues to demonstrate his potential as one of the most promising coaches in Europe, and his name continues to gain ground in the global football elite.