Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Enzo Maresca (left) was a former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City “must be prepared” to plan for his departure and eventual successor – but insists he is far from finished at the club.
It is understood City have started the process of identifying candidates to replace the Spaniard amid uncertainty over whether he will remain at the club next season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who was previously assistant to Guardiola at City, has said reports describing him as a potential successor to the Spaniard are “100% speculation”.
In November 2024, Guardiola signed a new contract which runs until the end of 2026-27.
Speaking on Friday, he said: “I’m happy here, I want to stay here. What can I say? Always results decide.
“When it is the [end of the] chapter the club will choose the best one to continue this incredible period in Man City.
“There have been rumours in the last years many, many times but I want to stay here. At the end of the season, we’ll see.”
City, who are two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, host West Ham on Saturday (15: 00 GMT).
Guardiola will exit the ‘moment he feels it is done’
City endured an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign, in which they failed to win any major domestic silverware for the first time since 201617.
However, this term Guardiola appears to be relishing the challenge of competing on all fronts after a summer rebuild.
“I’m excited because there is a margin to improve, to do it better. That is what I like,” he said.
“Last season was a really, really tough season and I didn’t give up and I was there. This season is much better in terms of many things I’m seeing and still I’m here.
“It depends on my feelings and my feeling right now is good. That’s why I want to continue.
“It’s going to change? Maybe, I don’t know. But what I’m feeling now is not [that]. What I’m feeling now is with the players I want to continue as much, and as long, as possible.”
Excluding the Community Shield, Guardiola has led City to 15 major honours since joining the club in 2016 having previously enjoyed trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Rather than putting a definitive timescale to a possible departure, he indicated it was about maintaining competitiveness at the top level.
“In the Champions League we are fourth with two games left, in the Premier League we are [up] ther
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