Pep Guardiola sees his Manchester City contract expire next year and has now unpacked his mindset going forward as a manager

Pep Guardiola sees his Manchester City contract expire next year and has now unpacked his mindset going forward as a manager.

Pep Guardiola says he is content at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola insists he is happy at Manchester City but admits is hesitant to think too far into the future.

 

 

The Catalan coach has previously underlined that he has not yet made a decision about whether to extend his Blues contract, which expires next summer. Man City wish to keep hold of their most successful manager but acknowledge Guardiola might be in his final season at the club.

 

MEN Sport understands that those close to the 53-year-old expect him to make his decision over the winter. Guardiola – whose deal expires in June – has indicated he will lead Man City into next year’s Club World Cup, which stretches into mid-July.

 

Earlier this month, the City boss made clear that he is not feeling pressured by the club to make a decision and admitted he “still needs to reflect and decide what I want to do”. And now, he has outlined that he is refraining from thinking too long-term.

 

Asked about his happiness at City, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “I’m happy here. When I started as a manager I would anticipate. Now I don’t, I just want to win tomorrow. I live more day-by-day.”

 

 

Guardiola is now into his ninth season at Man City and has lifted 18 trophies during his tenure. At the end of last season, he indicated that he was “closer to leaving than staying” given the number of years he has already been in Manchester.

 

He clarified those comments earlier this month while appearing on Italian TV. “I have been eight years at Man City and I will not be here for eight more years, that is why [I said] I am closer to leave than stay,” he explained.

 

“But I didn’t say I am leaving. Never ever. I would say. When I am leaving I will say I am leaving. But I didn’t say.”

 

Man City duo Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola

Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola during a Champions League match.

Man City striker Erling Haaland is “interested” in a move to Real Madrid as the Citizens look to get a deal done for Florian Wirtz, according to a former scout.

 

 

The Norway international has made a brilliant start to the new Premier League season with ten goals in eight matches for the Citizens.

 

His goals have helped Man City make an unbeaten start to the campaign with Pep Guardiola’s side currently one point behind leaders Liverpool.

 

But there is lots of uncertainty at Man City with the Premier League champions currently at the centre of a hearing into 115 charges leveled against them over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial fair play rules.

 

There has been speculation that, if found guilty, the Citizens could face a points deduction, relegation or even expulsion and that has led to rumours about the future of Guardiola and some of their players.

 

Haaland is one of those players who’s been linked to other clubs with the 24-year-old already winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League in his first two seasons in England.

 

And now former Man Utd, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout Mick Brown claims Haaland is “interested” in making the move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who he has been heavily linked to.

 

Brown told Football Insider: “He’s happy at City and City are happy with him and his performances. But you can never discount the fact that somebody might, given the opportunity, want to go to Real Madrid.

 

 

“They want the Galacticos and they’re always looking at the best players in the world. Haaland, of course, is one of those, so of course there’s interest from their side and I don’t doubt he’d be interested in that move eventually.

 

“But I know Man City won’t entertain a situation where they might lose him. Real Madrid are always going to command interest from players. They’re the biggest club in the world and everybody wants to play for them.

 

“I’m sure he won’t be looking to leave City any time soon, but in the future, I wouldn’t discount seeing him move to Madrid.”

 

 

Man City are looking to bring in fresh ideas with Bayer Leverkusen attacker Wirtz continually linked to a possible move to the Etihad Stadium.

 

And now Brown has claimed that “from what he’s hearing” Wirtz is definitely on their list and Man City will be “pushing to get that deal done”.

 

 

Brown added: “He’s definitely on their list of targets from what I’ve heard. He comes with a very good reputation and he’s done a fantastic job at Leverkusen.

 

“They’ll be pushing to get that deal done, there’s no doubt about that. The one thing about De Bruyne, as well as his obvious talent, is the level of experience he’s got at the top level after his time with City.

 

“Now, we’re talking about a young player from Germany who isn’t exactly a direct replacement for that. Of course, when you’re replacing a player like De Bruyne there are certain compromises you have to make because you can’t just go like-for-like.

 

“City already have players who could step into that role. The issue is whether they are good enough to help them compete to win European cups.

 

“I think Wirtz is the type of player who can help them continue to compete at the top level, especially given his age.

 

“These are the types of players City should be going for, and as far as I’m aware, the ones they are going for. He fits the mould perfectly.”