Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has been a topic of considerable interest, especially as his contract is set to expire next summer. Despite hinting earlier that this upcoming season might be his last at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola has now stated that he has not yet made a final decision on his future. There is a possibility that he could extend his contract, but he is keen on assessing City’s performance at the beginning of the new season and observing whether his players maintain the same level of motivation and determination.
“I’m not being here for eight more years so that’s why [I said] I’m closer to leaving than staying. But I didn’t say I’m leaving,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of City’s friendly against AC Milan at Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday night.
“When I’m leaving, I will say I’m leaving. But I didn’t say it. So that was my approach, maybe I was not correct to say that but that was my feeling at the time. So we spoke with the club and said: ‘It’s a lot of years, we’ll see what happens.’
“But I will not rule it out absolutely to extend the contract. I would love to stay, because I would love to stay. So that’s why I don’t want it to happen, I don’t want to deny my feelings, I want to see my players. Nine years, today, in the same club is an eternity.
“And I just want to be sure it’s the right decision, not just for me but for the club, that it’s the right decision for the players, that still they run like they already ran for eight years, it doesn’t matter the competition, it doesn’t matter the tournament. This is what I have to see. And that’s all.
“But I’m pretty sure I will not stay eight more years because I think it’s good to refresh – the players, the managers. But at the same time, we had success, still winning Premier Leagues, still arriving in the last stages.”
The timeline for a decision from Guardiola is crucial, as it is believed that Manchester City would prefer to have clarity on this matter by December at the latest to facilitate any succession planning. Guardiola has expressed that he will keep Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the club’s chairman, and other officials informed of his intentions, emphasizing the open communication regarding his future with the club.
“I’ve not given it consideration because I haven’t decided I’m leaving,” he said. “When I decide, ‘Okay, it’s over’ … first of all, I will talk with my sporting director [Txiki Begiristain], my chairman [Al Mubarak], my CEO [Ferran Soriano]. That’s the first.
“I will never do one step without my team, my club not knowing it. I’m incredibly grateful [to them]. When it happens, we will talk. When? I don’t know when is the best.
“It doesn’t mean to do it that way is perfect, or doing it another way is perfect. Or maybe in a few months, I will say: ‘Extend the contract.’ So I don’t know. What I said at the end of the season is: ‘Okay, at the start of the season, how is everything going, how connected we are together again, and after we’ll see.’”
In terms of transfer activity, Manchester City’s only notable signing this summer has been the Brazilian winger Savinho, who is projected to join the club from Troyes for a fee of approximately £33.6 million. Guardiola has indicated that the current squad may not see further additions unless there are departures from the team.
“Right now, no,” Guardiola said of the prospect of more arrivals. “If someone leaves at the end, maybe [we will sign new players]. But if no one leaves, I think we will stay like we are.”
Moreover, Guardiola has voiced concerns about the potential departure of Ederson, City’s first-choice goalkeeper, who is reportedly considering a move to Saudi Arabia, with Al Ittihad showing a strong interest in signing the Brazilian.
“I wish from the bottom of my heart Eddie [Ederson] continues with us,” Guardiola said. “Replacing Eddie is so difficult. Of course, what I said, it depends on him, if he wants to …
“But I would love if he stayed because I cannot imagine our process, our success in these last years without him, and he’s an important figure in the locker room, in his presence, many things. And hopefully, it would be a good signing for us.”
This situation adds another layer of complexity to City’s preparations for the upcoming season, as they aim to maintain their success while managing potential changes within the squad.
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