Pep Guardiola admitted that he was closer to leaving Manchester City than staying. (Image: Sky Sports.)
Pep Guardiola confirmed that he will hold talks with Manchester City regarding his future next season, after revealing he thought that there was “nothing left” during their treble celebrations 12 months ago. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has a contract in Manchester until 2025 and admitted that he could leave sooner rather than later.
Amid the celebrations following an unprecedented fourth title in as many years, Guardiola soaked in another piece of silverware to add to his overflowing cabinet, but cast doubt on the suggestion that his long-term future remains at City.
He has spent eight years on the blue side of Manchester, longer than he was in charge of Barcelona and Bayern combined, but with the Spanish head coach in a reflective mood following the 3-1 win over West Ham he admitted that it is unlikely he will have many more seasons at City.
“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” Guardiola shared. “We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But (after) eight or nine years, we will see.”
Pep Guardiola will meet with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak next season. (Image: Getty)
When asked if he felt that he had “completed English football” after breaking another record, Guardiola claimed that such feeling had already dawned upon him a year ago, when Rodri’s Champions League final-winning effort secured the treble in Turkey.
“I had that season last year after (winning the Champions League to complete the treble in) Istanbul,” he added. “I said: ‘It’s over, there’s nothing left.’ But I have a contract, I’m still here.
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“Some moments I’m a bit tired but some of the moments I love and we are here winning games, looking good with new players. I start to think that no one has done four in a row, why don’t we try? And now I feel it’s done, so what next? FA Cup (final against Manchester United on Saturday) – Gary Lineker told me that no team has done back-to-back Premier Leagues and FA Cups.”
Guardiola’s eyes remain firmly on the prize but his motivation will come under question next season, in which he will be in charge of City, but the Catalan’s future is up in the air beyond the current length of his contract.
The 53-year-old struggled to hold back his tears when talking about losing his sparring partner in English football Jurgen Klopp, who has departed Liverpool after nearly a decade in charge, but a similarly emotional farewell could take place a year down the road as Guardiola ponders life after City.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1901215/Man-City-news-Pep-Guardiola-future-contract