Pep Guardiola considers UAE move as Manchester City role could change

Pep Guardiola is considering moving to the United Arab Emirates, where he could establish his tax residence while continuing his association with Manchester City and City Football Group, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Guardiola remains connected to the English club and its ownership group, which has one of its main headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

City Football Group operates several clubs across the world, including Manchester City, Girona, Palermo and New York City.

Sport reports that Guardiola’s position could eventually change from Manchester City manager to a senior adviser within the group. Such a role would be linked to tax residence in the UAE and could lead to the 55-year-old relocating to the Gulf state.

The report says the possible move would not be motivated solely by tax considerations. Personal and professional factors are also understood to be involved in the decision.

Coaching a national team is one of Guardiola’s stated ambitions, and that ambition could become relevant as the 2030 World Cup approaches.

Sport suggests his presence in the region could be connected to a future appointment as manager of one of the national teams neighbouring the UAE, or possibly the UAE national team itself.

The UAE recently appointed former Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic as its head coach.