Pep Guardiola faces the oldest manager in Premier League history on Sunday afternoon with the quadruple-chasing coach admitting he has no desire to challenge Roy Hodgson’s longevity.

The 71-year-old former England head coach will be attempting to damage City’s attempts to retain their Premier League title at Selhurst Park, having already inflicted one defeat on them at the Etihad in December. But, in a rare glimpse of Guardiola the man, rather than the relentlessly successful football coach, the 48-year-old conceded that he has no intention of dedicating his working life to football in the same way as Sunday's opponent.

“In my case, no way. Impossible,” laughed Guardiola. “I am curious to do other things before I die! So, you know, I love my job but always I am thinking to do something different. My wife, family … 71? No way. You have to have a special energy and I think at 71 – except Roy Hodgson – the other ones cannot do it. No no.

“The fact Roy Hodgson does it, it’s because he loves it, so it’s incredible. I think he has the passion, in himself in doing that. It’s incredible so it’s nice. It will be nice to see him again.”

Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfection, and his intense manner of coaching, have led to speculation over how long he can keep managing at the top level.

Hodgson will be attempting to damage City's title charge at Selhurt Park credit: AFP

After four seasons in charge of Barcelona, Guardiola took a 12-month sabbatical before spending three years at Bayern Munich. His contract at the Etihad runs until 2021, which would leave him with five years at City, the longest spell he has spent at one club in his career.

“That’s not for a long time for me – I’m 48 and that is many years away,” added Guardiola, when asked if he had set a retirement date. “I don’t have plans because I am just living preparing for the next game, the next season. I can leave, I would do other things, I’m curious to do things. I don’t want to spend all the time on the bench.

“Ten seasons is so stressful and demanding. Yes it has been incredible and there will be a few more years – but not until I am 71.

“Even in bad moments when it’s not going well, I need them to realise how good we have been and what we have done. When you make 180 points in two seasons, it’s exceptional. We have lost two out of the last 24.”

Guardiola said he would relax by watching the Masters this weekend credit: Reuters

This weekend, Guardiola admitted his relaxation would come from catching some of the Masters golf on television although thoughts of a potentially historic quadruple will not be far from his mind.

The midweek Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Tottenham leaves City with a one-goal deficit to overcome in Wednesday’s return before Spurs visit the Etihad in the league on Saturday.

After Guardiola and City were questioned for their approach in the first leg, the manager is promising Mauricio Pochettino’s side a very different experience on Wednesday.

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“I don’t agree with the fact we were not good against Tottenham,” he said. “Of course we can improve, do better in attack. But we are at home with our fans, and will make it incredibly tough for Tottenham. We are going to be so aggressive. That is my idea.”

The first-leg loss featured a rare error by record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, whose early miss from the penalty spot set the tone for City’s reverse although Guardiola said the Argentine remained the designated taker – if he wants the job.

“Football, penalties, is here,” said Guardiola, tapping his head. “They have to know it. I admire guys who take the responsibility.”

Guardiola himself could not even bring himself to watch Aguero’s penalty, a tradition established at the Community Shield in August.

“It’s a ridiculous thing,” he admitted. “When we won the Community Shield, I continued the theory. But that didn’t work [at Tottenham] so I’m going to change it now!”