Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season next year, according to media reports. Guardiola, who recently secured a fourth consecutive Premier League title with City is in the final year of his managerial contract and does not seem inclined to sign an extension. 

Quizzed during the open bus parade for the historic four-peat, Guardiola was asked: “At the start of next season, you will be the Premier League’s longest-serving manager. Would you just stay forever, please? Can we just get you to stay forever?”

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Guardiola, caught off guard by the question, responded in a rather awkward manner:  “Forever?! [laughs]”

“Even myself, I couldn’t expect to stay here eight years but everything goes well. Step-by-step we are here. It looks routine but it’s not routine,” added Guardiola.

The Spanish manager, however, promised to see out his contract and said City will bounce back next season from their FA Cup final disappointment. 

“We will be back next season,” Guardiola said. “The FA Cup, we will take it.”

According to reports, the upper management at the club has already started to compile a list of potential successors to Guardiola who can carry his mantle. 

‘Closer to leaving’

Notably, Sunday (May 26) was not the first instance when Guardiola has given an ambiguous answer regarding his future at City. After winning the title last week, Guardiola was asked the same question where in replied that he was closer to leaving than staying.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club and my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But after eight or nine years, we will see,” said Guardiola. 

“I have a contract, I’m still here. Some of the moments I’m a bit tired, but some of the moments I love and we are here winning games, looking good with new players.”

Having previously coached the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, it is highly likely that Guardiola would opt for a sabbatical like his Liverpool compatriot, Jurgen Klopp. The German manager said goodbye to Anfield after nine successful seasons at the club and forging a hyper-competitive rivalry with Guardiola. 

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