Will Pep Guardiola stay at Manchester City beyond the coming season? It’s not out of the question for the coach, who is entering his ninth season with the English champions
“When I leave, I will say that I am leaving. But I didn’t say that,” Guardiola said ahead of the test match against AC Milan at the Yankee Stadium in New York (Sunday, 0:00 CEST).
After winning his fourth Premier League title in a row, Guardiola had said in May that he would not stay in Manchester for another eight years. He was “closer to leaving than staying”. Many interpreted this to mean that the 53-year-old could be entering his final season with the English champions. His contract expires in the summer of 2025.
In the USA, however, Guardiola emphasized: “We’ll see what happens. But I won’t completely rule out renewing my contract. I would like to stay because I would like to stay. “
Guardiola tried to explain his statement from May. “I said that I have been at ManCity for eight years and I will not be here for another eight years. And that’s why I’m closer to leaving than staying. But I didn’t say I was leaving.” Nine years at the same club is “an eternity today. That’s why I want to be sure that it’s the right decision. Not just for me, but also for the club and the players.”
In eight years in Manchester, Guardiola has won the English championship six times, the FA Cup twice and the Champions League once.
Manchester City’s preparation tour of the USA began on Wednesday in North Carolina with a 3:4 defeat against Celtic Glasgow. In addition to the test against Milan in New York, there are also clashes with FC Barcelona (July 31, 1 a.m. CEST in Orlando/Florida) and Chelsea (August 3, 11.30 p.m. CEST in Columbus/Ohio) on the program. Back in England, the Super Cup (Community Shield) against FA Cup winners Manchester United will take place at Wembley on August 10 (4 p.m.).
