GUARD UP
Pep Guardiola drops huge hint over Man City future amid exit rumours and reveals what players must do to make him stay
He also gave his thoughts on a possible quadruple
PEP GUARDIOLA says his players will determine whether he extends his contract with Manchester City.
The Etihad boss said this week he still loves his job and sees no reason to stop after eight years in charge.
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But his current deal expires in summer 2025 and as things stand there is no sign he will commit to another one.
After leading City to a sixth Prem title in May, he dismayed supporters by saying he is closer to leaving than staying.
Yet two months on he now says his words were misunderstood and he has yet to make his mind up over the future.
Guardiola said: “I want to be sure it’s the right decision, not just for me but for club, the right decision for the players.
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“If they run like they already ran for eight years, no matter the competition, the tournament, and this is what I have to see and that’s all.
“What I said at the beginning of the season is at the start of the season, see how everything is going, how connected we are all together again and after we will see.”
“Maybe I was not correct to say it in the moment when we won the Premier League.
“But I’ve been at City for eight years and I’m not going to be here eight more years. So that’s why I’m closer to leaving than to staying.
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“But I didn’t say I’m leaving.
“When I’m leaving I will say I’m leaving But I didn’t say it – so that was my approach.”
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Guardiola has a close working relationship with chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak, chief exec Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
He insists he will not come to any definite decisions until he has discussed it with them.
He said: “When I decide it’s over first of all I speak to my sporting director, my chairman and my CEO, that’s the first thing.
“I would never do one step without my team, my club not knowing it. I am incredibly grateful, too much,
“I wouldn’t want to take a step that could cause a problem in the way I do it. What happens is we will talk.
“We spoke with the club and said it’s a lot of years so we will see what will happen but I am not ruling out absolutely to extend the contract.
“When I said I would love to stay (it’s) because I would love to stay.
“So that’s why, I want to see my feelings, I want to see my players. Nine years today in the same club is an eternity.”
Pep's City record
Games - 472
Wins - 349
Draws - 57
Losses - 66
Trophies - 6x Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, 2x FA Cup, 4x League Cup, 2x Community Shield
“But I am pretty sure eight more years I will not stay because I think it’s good to refresh the players and manager.
“But at the same time we had success, still winning Premier League, still arriving to the late stages.
“And when we are defeated in big tournaments, the Champions League, the way we are beaten…. This is my feeling right now.”
Guardiola saw his old foe Jurgen Klopp leave Liverpool last season – and will have noted the way their season unravelled.
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They had a chance of winning four trophies when they announcement was made in January – but ended up with just the Carabao Cup.
But Pep said: “I have no given it consideration because I haven’t decided I’m leaving!”
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