“I don’t know” – Pep Guardiola makes honest admission on Manchester City future | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about his future at the Etihad Stadium ahead of Sunday’s derby clash with Manchester United.

Guardiola signed a two-year extension till 2027 last fall as Manchester City were in the midst of their worst run of form in nearly two decades that effectively ruled the Blues out of the 2024-25 Premier League title race.

Since replacing Manuel Pellegrini as Manchester City manager in the summer of 2016, Guardiola has led the club to unparalleled success in the Premier League and helped City to their maiden UEFA Champions League title in 2023.

The past summer has seen wholesale changes on and off the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, with Hugo Viana replacing Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City’s director of football. Guardiola has also overhauled his assistant coach group with the acquisitions of Pepijn Lijnders and Kolo Toure, with James French recruited as set-piece coach.

City are enduring a crossroads period during Guardiola’s reign and have made a slow start to the 2025-26 season off the back of the club’s most underwhelming showing under the Catalan coach, who made seven first-team signings in the recent window.

Several senior first-team stars fundamental to Manchester City’s success over the years were shown the door and allowed to leave in the last few months, including Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash against Manchester United on Sunday, Guardiola spoke openly about the length of time he will continue in the position of Etihad Stadium head coach.

“I’ve said many times, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know,” said Guardiola in an honest demeanour, signalling his intent of obeying his current contract and taking things as they come in the coming years.

“I know the results dictate all the positions, the teams, and I have to make a good season for that. I will not stay here when I feel that the club needs a change.

“But right now, I feel I want to do it, more than ever after what happened last season. And especially now, in that moment, and I want to be in front of all of the club, to take my shoulders bigger and bigger, to keep away the situation, and with my players, trying to do it.

“I’m not here just because I’ve done it in the past. I like to look forward, that’s why we had incredible success because all the time we are thinking about what’s next. But the time I’m going to stay, it’s what I’ve said many times; when I arrived here the first time, I signed for three years, and I never, ever could have expected to have stayed for one decade.

“It’s my 10th season here (at Manchester City) – I’m so proud of that and I want to help – yes or yes – the team, the club still being there, again and again.”