Pep Guardiola recently signed a new two-year deal with Manchester City
Pep Guardiola recently signed a new two-year deal with Manchester City
Earlier this month, Pep Guardiola said it was “impossible” for him to consider leaving Manchester City amid the club’s lacklustre form.
“I would not be able to sleep – even worse than now – if I thought I was leaving when the club is in this situation,” he said ahead of the Manchester derby. City’s subsequent losses to Manchester United and Aston Villa have perhaps further cemented his future at the Etihad Stadium.
There seems little value and nuance in conversations suggesting he may resign. It has only been a month since the Catalan inked a new two-year deal with the club.
"They can sack me. That can happen if we continue like this,” Guardiola suggested in his pre-derby interview. In theory, true, but in reality - to borrow his own phrase - impossible.
Bookmakers including him in the sack race odds can be ignored. If any manager has banked enough credit to have an off season, it is Guardiola with his haul of 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League.
In relative terms, this season is looking catastrophic for City, but that only pays testament to the stratospheric levels he has taken the club to during his tenure. Being seventh at Christmas would count as a good start for most clubs outside of the top six.
The only way Guardiola leaves is on his own accord. Of course, this season is set to be a defining one for the club itself amid the battle with the Premier League regarding those financial allegations, whichever verdict lands.
Would an adverse outcome cause Guardiola to rethink his future? Well, the coach provided a rather emphatic answer to this question a month ago.
“Absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One,” he replied regarding a possible relegation sanction should City be found guilty of gross finance breaches.
“Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."
Guardiola has been a staunch defender of the Blues amid the 100-plus charges of financial wrongdoing, which the club denies in full. He’s often gone on the offensive as well.
He added last month: "At the moment we are innocent until it is proved we are guilty. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.”
Having started in September, the hearing for the case has now concluded with the commission now retiring to deliberate and publish its verdict in early 2025. The club and the Premier League can appeal the initial outcome.
If either party does so, this would push the ultimate conclusion back a number of months and perhaps past the end of the season. The reality is that Guardiola looks to be staying either way.