‘I didn’t say I was leaving’ – Guardiola undecided on future

Pep Guardiola says he could stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the season.

Manager Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the coming campaign.

In the aftermath of City’s historic fourth successive Premier League title success, Guardiola raised doubts over his own future when he said he was “closer to leaving than staying”.

The Spaniard has been in charge of City for eight seasons and has won the league on six occasions, part of an overall 17-trophy haul.

Speaking to reporters in New York ahead of City’s pre-season encounter with AC Milan at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Guardiola said nothing had been decided.

“I didn’t say I was leaving,” he said.

“Nine years at the same club is an eternity. I don’t rule out extending the contract. I want to be sure it is the right decision for the club and the players.

“When I decide, I will talk with my CEO and sporting director. But I want to start the season, and look at how everything is going and how connected we are. After, we will see.”

Guardiola said he hopes to be in charge for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, to be held in the United States next summer, but was not sure about the tournament itself, which is at the centre of a dispute between world governing body Fifa and the major players’ unions.

City could end up playing 75 matches across the season, starting with the Community Shield with Manchester United at Wembley on 10 August and potentially ending in the Club World Cup final in the United States on 13 July.

Striker Erling Haaland says it is impossible for any player to be fresh for so many matches.

“It is difficult to be sharp if you play 70 games a year,” Haaland said.

“You could see at the Euros how tired people will be. Some will get a lot of vacation. You have to work with the people around you to be the best version of yourself.”

Not that Guardiola seemed to have much sympathy for the Norwegian.

Guardiola allowed the City players involved in the Copa America and Euro 2024 latter stages to choose when they returned to pre-season training because he did not want them coming back exhausted.

Norway, for whom Haaland plays, failed to qualify for the Euros.

“Has to rest more,” said Guardiola of Haaland. “If he is tired, go to bed early. Tired is an excuse.”