A lot of speculation has been going around surrounding the future of Pep Guardiola at Man City. Despite guiding them to back-to-back Premier League titles and winning the domestic treble last season, some tip this as his last season at the Etihad.
Those who feel he will bid farewell to the Citizens argue that this season bears resemblance with his final season with Barcelona. The Spaniard has never stayed at a club for more than four seasons and when the Blaugrana struggled in 2011/12, missing out on the league title like Man City look to do so this term, he stepped down as their manager.
Of course, there were many other factors but with Pep being in his fourth season at the Etihad Stadium, the feeling that this might be his last is shared by many. Guardiola is aware of these rumors and spoke about it ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash with Chelsea.
Man City fans will mostly be happy with what the 48-year-old had to say. He brushed aside the exit rumors, insisting he has no reason to leave the Etihad Stadium.
He also touched upon the title race. His side sit a whopping nine points behind leaders Liverpool and while he admitted that Man City have no room for further mistakes, the manager who is under contract until 2021 revealed the only circumstance in which he would leave the club.
“I want to stay, I don’t have any reasons to move," Pep said, as per the Guardian.
"I am incredibly satisfied to work with this club, with these players, and if the people think I am going to resign for these results and being nine points behind [the leaders Liverpool], the people do not know me.
“I like to have this challenge, I love to be in this position. If the club wants [me] next season I want to be here 100%. I want to live in this city because I know lovely people here and I want to work and live with them and I want to be here.
“If they [the club’s hierarchy] decide the results are getting worse then they are going to take a decision, that’s normal. It’s not because I am friends with Txiki [Begiristain, the sporting director] that I am going to stay for the rest of my life. I am here because I [keep] winning.”
He added: “Why should people think I’m not happy? Because we lost at Anfield or I’ve lost three games this season? That’s an odd reason to say I’m not happy or satisfied. The real situation is 198 points in two seasons, that is exceptional. The moment I will leave is when I feel my team don’t follow [me] to play at Anfield in the way we played.”
Next up for the reigning champions is a clash with Chelsea. The Citizens sit in fourth in the standings and trail the Blues on goal difference. Man City will be without Bernardo Silva who is suspended but must win this game if they are to remain within touching distance of Klopp’s side.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
