New reports have suggested that legendary manager Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City at the end of this season after 10 years in charge and 20 trophies at the club
Manchester City have said they will not be commenting on a fresh report that claims manager Pep Guardiola is to stand down at the end of the season.
The Daily Mail has claimed Sunday’s final Premier League game against Aston Villa will be the Spaniard’s last after 10 years in charge. However, City will not be commenting on the publication’s report with the former Barcelona boss being not out of contract this summer.
Guardiola still has a year remaining on his contract and City’s position on the matter has not changed throughout the season, despite persistent speculation over the 55-year-old manager’s future.
The club declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association and Guardiola also refused to be drawn on the subject in a recent BBC interview.
Guardiola gave mixed messages when asked about his future earlier on Monday.
At a press conference to preview Tuesday’s trip to Bournemouth, Guardiola referenced both the “one more year” on his contract and a hypothetical new three-year deal.
Yet, as he has on several occasions, he stopped short of explicitly stating he would remain at City next term.
After being asked about Andoni Iraola’s imminent departure from Bournemouth, Guardiola was questioned on whether he had thought about his own farewell.
He sighed heavily and said: “Next (question). So many times – I have one more year!”
Guardiola has overseen one of the most successful managerial reigns in English football history. Since his appointment in 2016, City have won 20 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
They have also won the FA Cup three times and lifted the Carabao Cup on five occasions, including both competitions this season.
They remain in contention for the Premier League title and face Bournemouth on Tuesday, hoping to take the race with Arsenal to the final weekend.
City have two games of their Premier League campaign remaining and need favours from elsewhere if they are to overhaul leaders Arsenal.
Yet the City manager refuses to concede the fight and is focused solely on ensuring the battle goes down to the wire.
Guardiola said: “The important thing is to arrive at the end with options.
“All we want is to be with our people in the last game to try to fight. To extend for these last four or five days what we have to do is win at Bournemouth.”