Talking about Pep Guardiola's future has become a classic on the football calendar. There isn't a season without rumors, speculation, or supposed roadmaps for the day after Manchester City. On the eve of the match against West Ham, the Catalan coach once again faced the usual questions, with a speech that mixes calm, realism, and an inevitable sense of an open ending.
Guardiola was clear in denying any immediate move. “There are no conversations about it. Period,” he concluded to the media, insisting that his departure from City “is not on the table right now.” However, true to his style, he avoided offering absolute guarantees and recalled that in football, nothing is immutable.
Contract in force and a message of reassurance to City
The Santpedor-born manager has a contract with Manchester City until the summer of 2027, after having renewed last year for two more seasons. A link that, on paper, guarantees continuity, although Guardiola does not hide that his time at the Etihad will not be eternal.
“I know that sooner or later I will leave. I have 18 months left on my contract and I am happy with the team's progress. Whatever has to happen, will happen,” he explained. A message that seeks to reassure the club and the fans, but at the same time naturally accepts the passage of time.
Football Changes Quickly and City Must Be Prepared
Faced with the press's insistence, Guardiola was even more direct. "I won't be here forever. The club must be prepared for when that happens, but right now it's not an issue," he stated, making it clear that there are no negotiations or short-term plans regarding his succession.
In recent months, some rumors have even pointed to possible heirs on the bench, such as Enzo Maresca, his former assistant and current Chelsea manager, although no official hypothesis has been fueled from City's camp.
A historical legacy and the idea of a future rest
Guardiola arrived at City in 2016 and has since built one of the most successful periods in the club's history. His trophy cabinet in England includes 18 titles, among them one Champions League and six Premier Leagues, consolidating a project that has marked an era.
The coach himself has previously hinted that, when the time comes to end his tenure in Manchester, his idea is to take a break. "I'm here now. All I'm thinking about is the match against West Ham... and then going to play golf with my father," he concluded, downplaying a future that, as he himself admits, no one can predict.