Pep Guardiola: “Are there people waiting for me to fail? Yes, definitely. And I'm happy to welcome them. Delighted, actually. That kind of thing gives you energy. In competition, you need people saying, ‘Oh yeah? Just wait and see.’”
Pep Guardiola is arguably the greatest football manager in the world. But reaching that level in elite sport can take a serious toll on your health. Now, he’s channelling his focus into something new: a holistic health and longevity clinic in Barcelona called Monarka, specialising in regenerative medicine. Guardiola is one of the main investors, alongside former Barça players like Thiago Alcántara and Jonathan Soriano, and other well-known Catalan figures.
Despite suffering from jet lag after a flight from New York, Pep greets the GQ team with smiles and hugs in a sunny room overlooking Passeig de Gràcia. He’s in great spirits, maybe due to the mix of exhaustion and excitement around the launch of Monarka. “I’m a big investor in big projects!” he laughs, before clarifying, “No, actually I did it for Mireia first, then for Montse. Because even from something bad, something good can come.” He’s referring to Dr Mireia Illueca, a neurosurgeon and expert in regenerative medicine, and Montse Escobar, a psychologist who focuses on the emotional roots of physical imbalances.
The “bad” he mentions? A slipped disc he suffered a few years ago. The good? Meeting Mireia, who treated him successfully. When she pitched him the idea of the clinic, he was immediately on board: “I’m not going to cure anyone,” he says, “but I’ll keep them company. And that already helps.”
Monarka describes itself as a cutting-edge centre for health and neuro-longevity, offering personalised, conscious medicine. Guardiola’s track record as a coach needs no introduction: countless league titles and Champions Leagues across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. His managerial success even overshadows his own impressive playing career under Johan Cruyff’s legendary Barça “Dream Team.”
He retired from football in 2006 and began coaching soon after. In 2008, he took charge of Barcelona’s first team and started one of the most successful eras in football history. Later came Bayern, then City, where he’s currently contracted until 2027. Despite a recent underwhelming season, he’s determined to rebuild. “Some say this was my worst season,” he says. “But finishing third in the Premier League? That’s not a disaster.”
He admits the team looked tired, especially without key players like Rodri, but believes setbacks are essential: “Success confuses you. You win too much, and others wait for you to fall.”
On failure, haters, and perspective:
“People were waiting for me to fail — and I welcome them. That gives you drive. In Germany, they said I couldn’t do it without Barça. In England, they said it wouldn’t work. Well, we did it — again and again. Sometimes it doesn’t go well. That’s sport.”
He highlights how sports legends like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods lost more often than they won. “I’ve won 13 out of 16 league titles. I’ve lost a few — that’s not bad. Losing is part of sport.”
He doesn’t consider this season a failure. “I love failure. I love people who fail. In this perfect Instagram world, where everyone pretends to be happy all the time… I’m not. I lose, I fail. And? At least I try again.”
On health and longevity:
Pep is passionate about holistic health, mental wellbeing, and how they relate to performance. “In sport, everything comes from the mind. The difference between great athletes and the greatest is all mental. Pain in the body is often tied to something emotional. That’s why I believe in this clinic’s approach.”
On work, guilt, and pressure:
He admits to being a workaholic but says he’s learning to step back. “I feel a deep sense of responsibility — to the players, the club, everyone who believes in me. Maybe it’s from Catholic guilt,” he jokes. “You feel like you're failing people if you don’t give everything.”
He adds, “There’s a great quote — the letter ‘E’ in effort comes before ‘T’ in talent. That’s how it works.”
On burnout and the future:
Guardiola plans to step away after his time at City. “I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body. In Catalan we say 'badar' — to pause, to take it all in. That’s what I want. Just to stop and watch life go by. Then we’ll see.”
On coaching challenges:
Managing elite footballers is complicated. “I have 23 players and can only pick 11. The others feel unloved — even though I care about them deeply. It’s just how it works.”
City offers players exceptional support, from player care to nutrition, but Guardiola says what they really want is to play. “And when you tell them they’re not starting, it hurts. That’s the hard part. But they’re incredibly talented — all of them.”
On emotional intelligence and mental health:
He acknowledges that emotional intelligence isn’t taught enough in football — even though it’s vital. “AI can do a lot, but it can’t replace a look, a hug, a connection. That emotional side is irreplaceable.”
He reflects on his own mental health: “Early on, I had a lot of insecurity. With time and experience, you learn to manage. But young players today have it harder. Everything is external. Everyone’s constantly reacting to what others think.”
On today's generation and tech:
He speaks candidly about how phones and social media shape today’s youth. “When I was a kid, I was out all day. Now kids don’t even go outside. But I don’t blame them — if I were born today, I’d be the same.”
On football and purpose:
Asked about returning to Barcelona, he’s clear: “That chapter is closed. It was beautiful, but it’s over.”
On motivation:
“What keeps me going is the fear of doing badly, the fear of losing. The closer you get to competition, the more alive you feel.”
On legacy:
He doesn’t measure his career by trophies. “People will say I won 40 titles — great. But what matters to me are the relationships I built with players and staff. That’s what I’ll take with me.”
Final quote:
“After City, I’m going to stop. That’s certain. For how long, I don’t know. A year? Five? Ten? I just know I need to pause. To live. And then we’ll see.”
onefootball.com
www.espn.co.uk