Gianluigi Donnarumma makes admission on Manchester City future amid Pep Guardiola exit talk | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma has lauded Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager’s future at the Premier League side came under serious doubt this past week. 

The 54-year-old’s contract at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire in the summer of 2027 but mainstream reports have suggested a decision surrounding a likely exit one year earlier than expected could be made by club officials in the coming months. 

Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, who has previously managed the Manchester City U21s and worked in Guardiola’s first-team staff at the Etihad Stadium, is among many potential replacements for the Catalan – alongside Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany and Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi. 

The rumours regarding Guardiola’s conjectural exit, which would see him surpass a decade in England – all while having won 18 trophies including six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title – have been described by the Spaniard as ‘100% speculation’.

Nevertheless, Guardiola also claimed that City ‘must be prepared’ to plan for his departure and recruit an eventual successor in the days leading to his side’s 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, which saw Donnarumma make his 19th appearance for the Blues in all competitions since joining his £26 million deadline day arrival to Manchester in September.

The Italy international was the last and arguably most notable part of a £150 million squad revamp orchestrated by director of football Hugo Viana this summer, which also saw Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford and Rayan Ait-Nouri arrive in the north-west.

Donnarumma has started 14 of Manchester City’s 17 games in the Premier League campaign this season – which equates to every league match since he joined the Blues – and has made his feelings clear over his future in England in the years to come.

In a recent interview with Sky Italy, the 26-year-old said: “I respect him (Guardiola) enormously. We have an extraordinary relationship and he helps me a lot with my decisions. He keeps me calm in every situation,” as translated by Alfredo Pedulla and relayed by Sport Witness.

The AC Milan academy graduate has made a quick and successful start to life in England and believes having Guardiola as a coach has played a special part in the often-tough transition period to a more demanding league. He also spoke of his desire to create history at the Etihad Stadium. 

“It’s everyone’s dream to be coached by him (Guardiola),” he said. “I’m lucky to be here with him and I hope to spend many years here with him and write the history of this club (Manchester City). It’s truly special.”

Donnarumma’s supposed weakness on the ball was highlighted in the build-up to him replacing long-serving goalkeeper Ederson at Manchester City – not least because PSG boss Luis Enrique didn’t see him as skilled enough for his system – but Guardiola has shown adaptability to counter those weaknesses, which have since upgraded. 

Guardiola’s future may not synonymise with much certainty but, for Donnarumma, the foreseeable years in England looks prospective for success and history could very well be made with him between the sticks at the Etihad Stadium as the highly seasoned shotstopper enters his prime.