- Guardiola’s contract is up at the end of the season and he is yet to decide future
- United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson left as manager over 10 years ago
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Pep Guardiola insisted that his eventual departure will not besiege Manchester City with the same structural problems as Manchester United‘s post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
City are awaiting a firm answer from their manager on whether he intends to extend a contract that expires in the summer ahead of a period of change.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has announced he is leaving next year, with ex-Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana taking the reins.
Losing both Begiristain and Guardiola simultaneously would deal a major blow to City but the latter believes their succession planning will prevent a similar fall from the elite like their cross-town rivals.
‘I don’t know what happened [at United] but it’s not going to happen [here],’ Guardiola said. ‘It will be a bad sign for the club if just one or two people leave and everything dragged down.
Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City will not suffer like rivals United when he leaves the club
United have struggled to reach the success of previous years since Sir Alex Ferguson quit as manager
Guardiola’s contract at City is up at the end of the season but he is yet to make a decision on his future at the club
‘Maybe they will make mistakes but they will be solved immediately. The hierarchy know exactly what they have to do.
‘They will be patient, calm. Absolutely, I don’t have doubts about that. With Txiki for 12 years and my case, it is normal that it looks like we cannot leave, but of course we can move on. Life moves on. The earth continues to spin.’
Guardiola claimed that he’s not yet spoken to Viana and told City’s hierarchy they have to remain flexible in the transfer market next year as the average age of their squad creeps higher.
The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are coming towards the end of their careers and Guardiola admitted he doesn’t know when the Belgian playmaker will return to action. De Bruyne is in training following a groin problem but is still not ready.
Erik ten Hag is currently steering the United ship but is once again having struggles as boss
City are also without Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Rodri and Oscar Bobb ahead of a run of four away fixtures following Saturday’s visit of Southampton.
Guardiola added: ‘With just 14-15 players, of course I am concerned. For one or two games it is fine. But now we have a tough period. We had them in the past with important players injured like this season, unfortunately with injury. It is what it is. A perfect scenario never exists.’