Pep Guardiola must decide Man City future ahead of hearing’s decision over 115 charges

Pep Guardiola is reportedly needing to make a decision on his Manchester City future before they learn the outcome of their 115 charges. Guardiola is entering what could be his final season at City, as the contract extension signed in 2022 is expiring at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The club have made it clear that they would gladly offer the 53-year-old a new deal. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak remains hopeful of persuading him to stay, like he did two years ago – but there’s only so long he can hold out for an answer.

Sky Sports report Guardiola’s been given a deadline of Christmas. This would give the club enough time to find his successor, much like Jurgen Klopp gave Liverpool ample time to fill their vacancy.

But this means Guardiola will have to make a decision without knowing the full picture, as their hearing with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules isn’t expected to conclude this year. The case will commence in September, 18 months after they were charged.

According to Sky, submissions from both parties could take around 10 weeks before the independent commission begin reviewing all the evidence. Consequently, the decision could be made after the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

City have consistently refuted any allegations of financial misconduct and are confident they will be cleared in the ongoing investigations. Guardiola, meanwhile, pledged his loyalty to the club even if they are found guilty.

But he earlier this year confessed to feeling like he had achieved all he could with the team after their 2023 Champions League triumph, stating he remained only because of his prior commitment for two more years. “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” he admitted in May.

Speculation about Guardiola taking over the England national team continues to swirl. The FA have temporarily appointed Lee Carsley as interim manager, giving them time to consider Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.

Guardiola has openly expressed his ambition to lead a national squad at a major tournament before he retires. “A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that,” he revealed to ESPN Brazil when asked what he had left to achieve.

When probed further on if he had a preference, Guardiola added: “I don’t know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club.

“I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro or a Copa America, or whatever it is. I would like that. I don’t know when that would be.

“If that is five, 10, 15 years from now, but I would like to have the experience of being a manager in a World Cup.”