Major League Soccer faces a significant question about its future direction after Lionel Messi.
Replicating the Argentinian star's social media impact, record attendances, and global jersey sales will be nearly impossible.
According to The Guardian, the ultimate solution for soccer in the United States may be targeting an elite manager rather than a player as the league's next crown jewel.
This strategic pivot became highly feasible after Pep Guardiola's official announcement that he will leave Manchester City this summer.
Guardiola's Next Chapter
Guardiola has achieved every possible milestone in European club football, making a transition to a different continent a logical next step.
Upon leaving Manchester City, he will assume a role as a global ambassador for City Football Group, which includes giving technical advice to clubs like MLS's New York City FC.
While Guardiola has been linked to the USMNT coaching job in the past, his immediate plans involve taking a sabbatical to rest.
On Friday, Guardiola shared his current mindset: "I need to breathe a little bit and relax. I will be out for a while."
The timing of his planned break could align with New York City FC moving into its own soccer-specific stadium at Willets Point in Queens.
Guardiola previously spent a year-long sabbatical in New York between his managerial stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Guardiola biographer Martí Perarnau highlighted the manager's deep connection to the city in his book, Pep Confidential. "New York represented a fresh start," Perarnau wrote.
"He wanted a chance to switch off, forget the past, and discover new ideas."
Financial Times noted in 2013 that Guardiola thrives on New York's culture, using his time there to expand his intellectual horizons.
A recent Manchester City clothing line featuring a large "P" logo showcased a distinctly American sports culture influence.
Jon Mackenzie, author of the upcoming book The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics, analyzed this cultural connection.
"This is something that happened during his time in New York for his sabbatical," Mackenzie said.
"He's just a curious guy with a lot of interests outside football, and I suspect he would treat the opportunity to be in the US as a way of expanding his horizons again."
Managing in Major League Soccer would present unique tactical challenges due to roster limitations and a salary cap outside of designated players like Messi and Thomas Müller.
However, the absence of spending limits on team staff allows ambitious club owners to make competitive offers to secure the legendary manager.
