Pep Guardiola's future at the Etihad Stadium has been a contentious topic, with the Spaniard finally addressing this issue and making a huge admission ahead of their clash with AC Milan.
Manchester City are currently in the USA for their preseason tour, with the Premier League champions set to face AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea in preparation for the 2024-25 season.
However, the Spaniard is entering the final year of his contract, which expires in 2025. As a result, many publications tip the iconic tactician to leave Manchester when his deal runs out.
But is the 53-year-old planning on leaving the Etihad Stadium? Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with the Rossoneri, Pep addressed this topic most candidly, stressing that he has no desire to leave the club currently.
The Spaniard, who has won six Premier League titles at Manchester City, also added context to why he said he was closer to leaving than staying a few months ago. The former Barcelona boss has been in Manchester for eight years and while he does not see himself leaving in the immediate future, he also admits that he is unlikely to stay for another eight years
"I want to be sure it's the right decision, not just for me but for club, the right decision for the players," Pep said, as per the Sun.
"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.
"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."
Guardiola became the first manager to win four consecutive Premier League titles when his team pipped Arsenal to the top-flight crown on the final day of the 2023-24 season.
The Spaniard's goal next season will be to make it five in a row while adding a second UEFA Champions League crown to Manchester City's trophy cabinet.
