EPL: Guardiola dispels rumor of leaving City after next season

Pep Guardiola has indicated that he might stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the season, despite his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign. After City secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title, Guardiola had hinted at uncertainty about his future, stating he was “closer to leaving than staying.”

Guardiola, who has led City for eight seasons and secured six league titles among 17 trophies, spoke to reporters in New York ahead of City’s pre-season match against AC Milan at Yankee Stadium. He clarified that his future remains undecided, saying, “I didn’t say I was leaving.”

He added, “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. 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 a desire to be in charge for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the United States next summer but expressed uncertainty about the tournament itself due to a dispute between FIFA and major players’ unions. Manchester City could play up to 75 matches this season, beginning with the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley on August 10 and potentially concluding in the Club World Cup final in the U.S. on July 13.

Striker Erling Haaland noted the challenge of maintaining freshness over so many matches, 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, had little sympathy for Haaland, noting that he allowed players involved in the Copa America and Euro 2024 to choose their return date for pre-season training to avoid exhaustion. Norway, Haaland’s national team, did not qualify for the Euros.

“He has to rest more,” Guardiola said of Haaland. “If he is tired, go to bed early. Tired is an excuse.”