Pep Guardiola pits his wits against the grand old manager of the Premier League this weekend when his Manchester City side come up against Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
And the Blues boss said he will not rule out still working as a manager when he reaches pensionable age.
Guardiola himself turns 49 tomorrow, and may have inadvertently invoked the wrath of Roy’s wife Sheila, after being asked about the Palace man’s longevity.
Hodgson is 74 and still going strong, and Guardiola has said in the past that he is not likely to continue in the job for so long.
But when asked again whether he can see himself still managing into his 70s, Guardiola said: “If I still like it and I have offers and I’m enjoying it on and off the pitch, I’d not say I’m going to retire next week or next year, don’t think I’ll be at that age a manager but I don’t know.”
Then he came out with the statement that might just upset Mrs Hodgson!
“I think when you are training at 74 it must be boring at home!” he said “You are with young people, athletes, competition, that’s why it’s nice, our job.
“Every game is different, that’s maybe the reason why Roy and older managers are still in charge and they do it.
“I think the important thing when you retire is to know you want to do other things - if you’ve no interests and you are at home then you are going to come back but if you want to travel or do other things …
“I’m interested in doing other things and I’m going to do it.”
