Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has confirmed that forward Julian Alvarez will be leaving the club to join Atletico Madrid. The Argentina international, who expressed a desire for a “new challenge,” is set to complete the move after Atletico Madrid offered £81.5 million for his services. Guardiola had hoped to keep Alvarez at City, but the significant increase in the transfer fee from the £17 million they paid River Plate for him in 2022 made it difficult to refuse the offer.
Guardiola praised Alvarez, stating that it was a pleasure to work with him and that he learned a lot from the player. He also expressed his hopes that Alvarez would find what he was looking for at Atletico Madrid. When asked about the reasons behind Alvarez’s departure, Guardiola explained that the player believed it was time for a change and that both clubs reached an agreement on the transfer.
As for Guardiola’s own future, he addressed rumors linking him to the England national team manager position, which became vacant after Gareth Southgate stepped down. While Guardiola expressed his desire to manage an international team at some point in his career, he emphasized that he has yet to decide on his next move. With his current contract at Manchester City set to expire in 2025, Guardiola stated that he needs to consider what he wants to do in his life, whether it’s continuing at City, taking a break, or pursuing opportunities with national teams.
In addition to discussing player transfers and his own future, Guardiola also touched on the demanding schedule that Manchester City will face in the upcoming season. Due to their participation in the inaugural Club World Cup next summer, the club will have a 48-week campaign, starting with the Community Shield fixture against Manchester United. Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of fixture congestion and expressed a desire to give his players more rest. However, he also mentioned the importance of rotating the squad and managing the workload effectively to cope with the demanding schedule.
Overall, Guardiola’s comments provide insights into the complexities of player transfers, the uncertainties surrounding his own future, and the challenges Manchester City will face in the upcoming season. While losing a talented player like Alvarez is disappointing for City, Guardiola remains optimistic and focused on the season ahead. The narrative emphasizes the importance of adaptability and squad management in the face of a demanding schedule, highlighting Guardiola’s role in ensuring the team’s success despite the challenges they may encounter.