Pep Guardiola has moved to quash mounting speculation about his Manchester City future, firmly stating that no discussions have taken place regarding a potential departure from the Etihad Stadium next summer.
Guardiola Shuts Down Exit Speculation
The Manchester City manager was responding to reports which claimed the club had identified Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as a potential successor, with suggestions the Catalan coach was ready to end his trophy-laden spell in Manchester. Guardiola, 54, batted away the rumours ahead of City's crucial Premier League encounter with West Ham on Saturday.
"There are no discussions - end of the subject," Guardiola declared emphatically. "I will not be eternally here, I've said before I will not be here forever. None of us will be forever in this world but there are no discussions."
He acknowledged the inevitable nature of change in football, stating that the club must always be prepared for transitions, whether involving players, managers, or executives. However, he stressed that the subject of his departure is currently not under consideration by the hierarchy.
Focus Remains on the Present
With 18 months remaining on his current contract, Guardiola expressed his continued delight and excitement about the project at Manchester City. "I am so delighted and happy and excited about the development of the team and being there," he said, adding that questions about his future arise predictably every season.
His immediate focus is purely on the football. "Now I'm focused on West Ham and go for a few days with my dad and that's all, come back for Nottingham and Sunderland and Brighton and Chelsea," he outlined, referencing the upcoming fixture schedule.
Guardiola also touched on the form of his squad, particularly midfielders Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, while maintaining his trademark reluctance to offer excessive praise. He acknowledged Cherki's impressive impact in the final third but pointed out areas for the young player's improvement, including defensive work and possession retention.
Title Race and Looking Ahead
The immediate prize for Manchester City is a return to the top of the Premier League table, even if only for a few hours, with a victory over West Ham. This context makes the timing of the managerial speculation particularly irksome for a club entrenched in a tight title race.
Guardiola concluded by reaffirming the strong connection between himself and the club's decision-makers, suggesting that when the time for a change does come, it will be handled collaboratively. For now, the message from the Etihad is clear: the only discussion is about winning the next match.
