Pep Guardiola claims he would QUIT football before following in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps and becoming an executive – as manager insists he still ‘loves’ coaching amid uncertainty over Man City future

Pep Guardiola would quit football before following his great rival Jurgen Klopp down the executive route, promising that the role of manager is the only one he’d consider.

Guardiola is adamant he still loves the day-to-day involvement at Manchester City even as the club wait to hear if he wants to extend his current contract which runs out in the summer.

Klopp recently announced he is taking up a new role as head of global soccer at Red Bull whose portfolio of clubs include Leipzig, New York and Salzburg.

The German left Liverpool last summer citing burn-out.

‘I like the green grass. To be the man in the tie, I do not like it,’ responded Guardiola when asked about his future plans. ‘I would criticise my manager a lot! I can’t do it.

As long as the manager does stay in football, it will be in the dug-out – unlike newly minted Red Bull executive Jurgen Klopp 

‘Still I like coming here in the morning to work – I love it! This is the main reason I am a manager.

‘I am thinking about Wolves on Sunday and the messages I have to tell them (the players), the images I have to see, the training I have to prepare. I want to beat Wolves desperately.’

Having urged fans to get behind new England manager Thomas Tuchel, Guardiola admits he hopes English managers don’t become extinct in the Premier League.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is only one of the three English managers currently in the top flight alongside Eddie Howe (Newcastle) and Sean Dyche (Everton).

‘Of course I would like there to be British people in the league. It is normal,’ he said.

‘I don’t know the reason why there aren’t more. Maybe Txiki Begiristain appointed me because he knew me from Barcelona. If the sporting directors are British (it would be different).

‘I spoke to my players, how is Lee Carsley, how is Gareth Southgate. And they speak highly of them. Said they are really good.’

Guardiola gave new England manager Thomas Tuchel his backing but has stressed the need for more English coaches in the top flight

Guardiola’s legacy is already assured having won a record four consecutive Premier League titles. He didn’t want to be drawn into a debate about whether he has now surpassed Sir Alex Ferguson.

‘In this country and all around the world, Sir Alex Ferguson is the best. For the time, for the change of teams, for the trophies.

‘Being close to one of the most important managers of all time is more than enough. It’s an incredible honour for me and for all the staff, all the assistants and all the players I’ve had.

‘For the United fans, it’s always Sir Alex. Absolutely fine. I’m not saying I’m a bad manager, otherwise I could not be here for a long time and be a success, but to be best or not best, that is, believe me, it’s not important.

‘Just to say Djokovic is better than Nadal, Nadal than Federer, Federer than Djokovic, so all three are exceptional.’

Jack Grealish talked up his manager’s perpetual hunger when it comes to competing at the top

‘Jurgen Klopp made me a better manager, Jose Mourinho made me better manager, Mikel Arteta now is making better manager.

Midfielder Jack Grealish can’t see any dropping off in Guardiola’s drive and intensity.

‘The manager feeds that hunger into us’ he said. ‘Personally, it is one of the best feelings in football when you win trophies with your teammates after a long and hard season.

‘The way he sees football is different to everyone else. It is something you can’t buy, it’s so unique and so good.’