Pep Guardiola has humorously expressed that he would swap half of his impressive trophy collection for a decent golf swing. The Manchester City manager finds solace on the golf course, where he attempts to escape the pressures of the title race. However, he’s frustrated that his golf handicap is increasing rather than decreasing.

.

In a recent interview, Guardiola shared, “Playing golf — the only thing I switch off completely. I don’t see people, it’s just hitting this damn ball — and you cannot hit it.” He went on to say, “I’d change half of what I’ve achieved as a manager or player to have a decent golf swing. I’d do anything.” Given his remarkable success, including nine domestic league titles, two European Cups, and numerous other trophies, this claim is quite significant.

Despite praise from Spanish golf legend José María Olazábal, who described Guardiola’s game as decent, Pep remains self-critical. “Olazábal is too nice; my swing is a disaster. My handicap is getting worse. I don’t have time, and the weather is so bad,” he lamented.

This week, Guardiola will be focused on preparing for the Manchester derby against United, knowing that a victory could be pivotal for City’s Premier League title hopes. Reflecting on the joys and challenges of coaching, he remarked, “The glass of wine when you win the game” is his favorite part, while “you don’t sleep good after a defeat” is the toughest.

Guardiola has also been noted for his fashion sense, attributing much of his style to his wife, Cristina, who runs a boutique in Barcelona. He acknowledged, “My wife is so elegant, she helps me a lot. Before her, I was a disaster. Now I’m elegant — thank God for her.”

Having recently secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Peterborough, Guardiola’s focus will quickly shift to the derby, bolstered by a squad filled with talented players eager to contribute to the team’s success.