Guardiola may not stick around long termplaceholder image
Guardiola may not stick around long term | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester City face uncertainty as they prepare for a Carabao Cup final with Arsenal.
Arsenal are now preparing to take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The Gunners progressed in the Champions League during the week, seeing off Bayer Leverkusen in their second leg, but City crashed out.
City were well-beaten in their first leg with Manchester City and were left with a mountain to climb in the second half.
The defeat means they are out of the Champions League and their Premier League title hopes are hanging by a thread after losing more ground over Arsenal in the last couple of weeks with back-to-back draws.
This weekend’s Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup is their only remaining hope of silverware, and there are whispers about Pep Guardiola’s future not looking particularly certain.
Guardiola is tied down until the end of next season, but City will want to plan ahead if they are going to lose their long-time boss.
Ahead of a crucial final with Arsenal, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Guardiola situation on his YouTube channel. He said: “Manchester City – as a club, as management, as ownership – are waiting for Pep Guardiola to decide”, Romano explained this week. At the moment, according to my information, the situation is still open.”
City are out of form and with uncertainty hanging over their manager as they prepare for the final with Arsenal, and that is not ideal preparation, even if the Guardiola situation is not a pressing concern.
Given how long he has been with City, which is the best part of 10 years, Guardiola would likely see out his contract if he is to leave, meaning he would stay in place for another season.
Arsenal will be favourites this weekend, but City have a rich recent history of winning this competition, and they have much more experience of playing - and indeed turning up - in finals.
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