Pep Guardiola has hinted he might stay at Manchester City beyond this season. Manager Guardiola’s contract ends at the end of the coming campaign. After City’s historic fourth successive Premier League title win, Guardiola raised doubts about his future by saying he was “closer to leaving than staying.”
The Spaniard, who has managed City for eight seasons and won six league titles as part of an overall 17-trophy haul, addressed his future in New York before City’s pre-season match against AC Milan at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Guardiola said, “I didn’t say I was leaving. Nine years at the same club is an eternity. I don’t rule out extending the contract. I want to be sure it is the right decision for the club and the players.”
Guardiola emphasized that any decision will involve discussions with his CEO and sporting director. “When I decide, I will talk with my CEO and sporting director. But I want to start the season, and look at how everything is going and how connected we are. After, we will see.”
Guardiola expressed his desire to manage the team during the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the United States next summer but remains uncertain about the tournament itself, which is currently at the center of a dispute between Fifa and major players’ unions.
Manchester City could face up to 75 matches this season, beginning with the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley on 10 August and potentially ending in the Club World Cup final in the United States on 13 July. Striker Erling Haaland commented on the grueling schedule, saying, “It is difficult to be sharp if you play 70 games a year. You could see at the Euros how tired people will be. Some will get a lot of vacation. You have to work with the people around you to be the best version of yourself.”
Guardiola, however, appeared unsympathetic towards Haaland’s concerns. He allowed City players involved in the Copa America and Euro 2024 latter stages to decide when to return to pre-season training to avoid exhaustion. Norway, Haaland’s team, did not qualify for the Euros. “He has to rest more,” said Guardiola of Haaland. “If he is tired, go to bed early. Tired is an excuse.”
