Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said Pep Guardiola considered quitting “100 times” before leaving the club at the end of the season.
Guardiola stepped down after a decade at the Etihad Stadium, where he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Khaldoon told Manchester City’s media channels on Thursday that Guardiola often thought about leaving during difficult spells.
“In the case of Pep, when he says ‘I quit’, it doesn’t mean he’s quitting,” Khaldoon said. “You don’t take it that seriously; you have to manage him.”
Khaldoon said he had often persuaded Guardiola to return after emotional low points. However, he said he knew the final decision was real this time.
Guardiola won 20 trophies with Manchester City, including the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season. The 55-year-old left, saying he no longer had the energy to drive the club forward.
Manchester City have gone two years without winning the Premier League and finished seven points behind champions Arsenal this season.
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Khaldoon rejected claims that City had peaked. He said the club was “designed, built to win” and would return stronger after summer additions. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to replace Guardiola shortly.
