Pep Guardiola launches new side hustle as Man City boss admits ‘people are waiting for me to fail'
The legendary boss has channelled his energy into positive vibes and wellness after missing out on silverware for only the second time in his incredible 17-year career last season.
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Guardiola, 54, has gone into business with a DOCTOR and a therapist in Barcelona, his home base where he spends time with family during rare stints of time off.
The Etihad gaffer has put his cash and image behind high-performance recovery facility called the Monarka Clinic, which opened its doors last month.
The clinic is located at a prime address in Barcelona, right on the historic Passeig de Gràcia, an avenue that hosts some of Spain's most pricey real estate.
Days after a shock exit from the Club World Cup last-16 to Al-Hilal in June, Guardiola told GQ: 'I'm a big investor in large projects."
The Premier League manager got lapped into the Monarka Clinic through a chance meeting in unfortunate circumstances.
He had been treated by one of the creators Dr Mireia Illueca after suffering from a slipped disc in his back a few years ago.
Guardiola explained: 'I had a back problem and she fixed it, and since then we've gotten to known each other and become very close.
'She told me about the clinic and her project, about the things she wants to do. As I've always believed that sport, health and wellness are all fundamental, she asked me: 'Why don't we work together?'
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'And I replied, 'Why not?' And here we are. I'm not going to cure anyone, but I'll keep her company while she does. I've already been doing that for a while.'
Dr Illueca is a neurosurgeon and expert in regenerative medicine and pain management, while co-owner Montse Escobar is a psychologist who specialises in identifying the emotional root causes of physical ailments.
Pep Guardiola and stunning daughter Maria belt out Oasis classic as Man City boss parties with Gallagher family at gig
Meanwhile, Guardiola debuted a brand new clean shaven look while visiting to the clinic last month - ditching his usual beard for a striking moustache.
Guardiola thinks the clinic can help both the general public and professional athletes in dealing with physical pain through mental methods.
So people are waiting for me to fail? Yes, yes, I'm sure that's true.
GuardiolaGQ
He even half-joked that being City boss has taken years off his life when he said: 'Quite a few, especially if things are going badly.
'As I am now I'm 75 years old! I'm a wreck, everything hurts right now.
'So, if it's my biological age… maybe if I take the test, I'll come out younger. I hope to be better than I am now in a while.
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'A friend of mine, who I think defined me very well, once told me that I have three states as a person: euphoric, depressed, and absent. Those are my three states.
"So the point is to try to stay in the middle of these three.'
The Spaniard is desperate to restore City back to the top when the Prem kicks off this month, after a record spell of four league titles in a row ended in failure last season.
While speaking to GQ, he later agreed with the notion that people are "waiting for him to fail" after years of domination.
When quizzed, Guardiola said: "So they're waiting for me to fail? Yes, yes, I'm sure that's true. And I'm delighted to see them too. Delighted.
"That gives you energy. In competition, you need people to say to you: 'Really? We'll see about that.'
"They were the ones who said: 'He won't be able to do it in Germany, he was at Barcelona because of who he knew,' and 'In England, you'll see, English football is different.'
"Well, no. We did it. And then we did it again and again. Do things sometimes go wrong? Of course they do."
City open their Premier League campaign against Wolves at the Etihad on August 16.
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