Pep Guardiola has cast doubt on his long-term future at Manchester City and has hinted that next season could be his last in charge of the club.
Guardiola is celebrating a sixth Premier League title in eight seasons at the Etihad after Manchester City were crowned champions on Sunday. Needing a win to be guaranteed the title, the Citizens beat West Ham 3-1 courtesy of goals from Phil Foden (2) and Rodri.
The club’s title success made it a record-breaking four in a row for City, who have become the first team in English football history to achieve the feat.
Asked for the secret of his side’s success, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “I don’t know! Work a lot. I respect them a lot. Be humble, incredible work ethic. One game, one game, one game – you can’t think in November that you’re going to win it.
“Evolving it is not. The sport director gives me these players and I think OK what is the best position for them? We can’t play a false nine with [Erling] Haaland, we adapt the skills to the players. Not because I have an idea and every player had to do it. We adapt to the players.
“We were without [Erling] Haaland for many months, Julian [Alvarez] did an amazing job and Phil [Foden] has this talent. On the big stage, in the big moment he did. Amazing players but with Phil we have an extra thing.”
Guardiola’s current contract expires at the end of next season and the Spaniard suggested the 2024/25 campaign could be his final in charge of the champions.
“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see.”
Guardiola also paid tribute to Premier League runners-up Arsenal and said the Gunners pushed his team to ‘another level’ this season.
“For Arsenal to push us to another level – before it was Liverpool and the last two seasons it’s been Arsenal. This one has been incredible. We get the message, we know they will be there for many years.
“Young manager with big talent – they sent us a message that you have to be careful for the next few years. When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way. All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that.”
