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pep guardiola Says he’s “delighted” to be involved Manchester City And reassured supporters that outside noise about their future happens every year.
a report of athletic’s David Ornstein There are suggestions that there is a growing feeling at the Etihad that this could be Guardiola’s final season at the club. Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca on list of possible replacements,
Guardiola, 54, is already the longest-serving manager Premier League And Signed a two-year contract extension last seasonCommitting the Catalan until 2027 and what will be an 11th season at City.
Last season was a rare trophy-less campaign for City under Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles at the club, but his side look to be back in contention for the Premier League and Champions League This year.
And Guardiola pointed to the fact he has 18 months left on his contract as he dismissed rumors he could face his final season in charge – insisting there are “no discussions” over his future.
“I have been asked this question at certain periods for the last three or four years,” Guardiola said. “Sooner or later, I don’t know, 75 or 76, I will leave Manchester City. I understand that question when my contract expires but I have 18 months.
“I’m very pleased and happy with the development of the team and being there. But that question comes up at certain points every season.
“I’m fine. The club and I are incredibly connected in terms of the decisions we have to make and what’s going to happen is going to happen.
“No discussion. End of topic. Yes, I won’t be here forever, I said it in my second or third season here. None of us will be here forever.
“But there is no discussion. What is going to happen will happen. Of course the club must be prepared for everything, such as with the players, with the CEO.”
“Except the owners, unless they decide to sell the club, which I don’t think is going to happen, the rest have to be prepared. But that topic is not on the table right now.”
When Guardiola was asked if he could guarantee he would be in charge of Manchester City next season, he said: “I answered that question in the first two seasons. I’m here. What’s going to happen, who knows?”
“If I have a 10-year contract, or a six-month contract, football changes a lot. Now I’m concentrating on West Ham and going with my dad for a few days, that’s all. Then I’ll come back for Nottingham Forest and Sunderland and Chelsea and Brighton and whatever things we have.”
Earlier on Friday, Chelsea boss Maresca insisted that reports linking him to Manchester City as Guardiola’s successor were “100 per cent speculation”. The Italian is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2029 and was previously one of Guardiola’s assistants at City.
“I’ve said it many times, my focus is only on this club and I’m very proud to be here,” Maresca said. “It’s speculation. A week ago, in Italy, it was the same with Juventus. I don’t pay attention because I know it’s not true.
“It’s just speculation. It’s important to understand why this news came out. It’s not my job. I don’t care about it at all. My focus is on the Newcastle game. It’s an important game and it’s going to be a tough game.”