In a surprising revelation, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly made plans to leave the club when his contract expires in 2025.
Guardiola, renowned for his successful stints at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, finally achieved Champions League glory with City as they emerged victorious in a 1-0 final against Inter Milan in Istanbul.
The triumph marked City’s first top-level European success and completed an incredible treble for Guardiola’s side, who also secured the Premier League and FA Cup titles in the 2022-23 season. The Sky Blues became the first English team since Manchester United in 1999 to clinch a trio of domestic and continental honors, solidifying their place in football history.
The City Manager recently signed a contract extension with Manchester City until the end of the 2024-25 season, quelling rumors of a potential move to Brazil. However, sources now suggest that the 51-year-old intends to step down from his position once the agreed-upon terms conclude.
Guardiola’s entourage reportedly had doubts about his commitment to the contract extension, with some speculating his departure after his initial three-year deal ended in 2019. While an Italian adventure was initially rumored, he may choose a new challenge in international management, adding another dimension to his illustrious career.
After a successful three-year spell at Bayern Munich, he arrived at Manchester City in 2016 and is poised to conclude his tenure after nine trophy-laden years at the helm. Throughout his seven seasons in charge, Guardiola has amassed an impressive haul of 14 trophies, including five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, and the long-awaited Champions League triumph.
Under Guardiola’s guidance, City’s 2017-18 team achieved a historic milestone by recording 100 points in a single Premier League season. Looking ahead, Guardiola and his team will vie for Club World Cup glory in the coming season, building on their recent European success.
With 413 games under his belt, Guardiola boasts a record of 305 wins, 49 draws, and 59 defeats during his tenure at Manchester City, with the team scoring over 1,000 competitive goals under his leadership.
While Guardiola will remain at the club for the next two years, uncertainty surrounds the future of captain Ilkay Gundogan, whose contract expires at the end of the month. Arsenal and Barcelona are reportedly in a battle for his signature, with clubs in Saudi Arabia also monitoring the situation closely.
While Barcelona has offered Gundogan a three-year deal, Manchester City’s renewal extends only for one fixed season, with the option for an additional 12 months until 2025. Guardiola is hopeful that Gundogan will choose to extend his stay at the club, but the final decision remains to be made.
