Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is under contract until the summer of 2027
Pep Guardiola reacted passionately after winning the Carabao Cup vs Arsenal
Pep Guardiola reacted passionately after winning the Carabao Cup vs Arsenal(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Matthias Sammer, who worked as Bayern Munich's sporting director during Pep Guardiola's tenure at the club, has urged him to leave Manchester City after spotting a change in his demeanour.
Guardiola joined the Blues after leaving Bayern in 2016 and has gone on to enjoy unprecedented success. On Sunday, Guardiola led the Blues to a fifth Carabao Cup since he was appointed.
He has also won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, Club World Cup and two FA Cups during a reign of dominance at the Etihad Stadium. However, speculation has been mounting over his future in recent weeks.
Guardiola's current deal expires in 2027 and the City head coach has always honoured existing deals. But that has not stopped repeated questions on the subject considering the 55-year-old's desire to manage a national team before retiring.
In the latest episode of Sky Germany's Sammer and Basile - the Hagedorn Talk, Sammer insisted the City boss is looking for a way out. "Well, first of all, I was very happy for him [winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday]," he said.
"We worked together wonderfully for three years; it was very, very good. I think I understood him quite well with his facial expressions, his gestures, his eyes, and his way of speaking.
Matthias Sammer, sporting director of Bayern Muenchen, celebrates with head coach Pep Guardiola after winning the UEFA Super Cup between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC at Stadion Eden on August 30, 2013
Sammer says he can see something isn't right with Guardiola(Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)
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"My gut feeling tells me something's wrong when I look at his face." Asked to explain this gut feeling, Sammer added: "When I see your eyes, when I see your face, and in other ways too, you really don't need to explain to clueless people what you are and who you are, and that you can't always win.
"I would advise him to take a deep breath." Despite Sammer's theory, Guardiola gave little evidence of his desire to leave City after beating Arsenal last weekend.
"I still enjoy it," Guardiola insisted after the full-time celebrations. "Today was a real challenge and nobody gave us anything. Today, we saw ourselves and our level against the best team (Arsenal).
"We were what we are. That is the proof and challenge. That’s what we’re about. We don’t regret the challenge, sport is that. They are the best so far."