“What I can say is” – Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City future amid exit talk | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed a desire to stay at the club, insisting he remains “happy” at the Etihad Stadium amid recent talk around his future.

Speculation surrounding Guardiola’s long-term position has intensified over the last week, driven by reports suggesting City are actively assessing contingency options should the Catalan decide to step away at some point in the near future.

That discussion has coincided with several high-profile managers – including Chelsea’s current head coach Enzo Maresca – publicly distancing themselves from any suggestion of interest in the role.

Manchester City officials have long maintained that succession planning is a normal part of elite-level governance rather than an indication of imminent change, particularly with Pep Guardiola contracted through to the end of the 2026/27 season.

Nonetheless, the renewed focus on the issue has placed Guardiola’s own stance firmly in the spotlight ahead of a key run of domestic fixtures.

Speaking to the media ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming clash with West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on whether he would have any input or say in who should succeed him in the managerial role at the club.

However, as part of his answer, the 54-year-old insisted he has no plans to step aside from the head coach role, admitting that he remains “happy” with the job at hand.

“I’m happy here. I want to stay here,” said Guardiola. “What can I say? When the club, myself, or results – because at the end it’s always results – decide it’s the end of the chapter, the club will choose the best one to continue this incredible period in Man City.”

Guardiola continued, “But what can I say? I cannot all the time [answer], what happened there, it’s been the rumours for the last years, many, many times.

“And what I can say is I want to stay here. And at the end of the season we’ll see.”

Pep Guardiola’s comments align with his previous public messaging, repeatedly stressing his contentment at Manchester City while acknowledging the realities of elite football management, where outcomes ultimately dictate longevity.

His remarks also appear designed to steady external noise following reports linking multiple coaches to a potential future vacancy. For City, attention returns to performances on the pitch, with the West Ham fixture offering another opportunity to reinforce momentum in the league.

While long-term planning will continue quietly behind the scenes, Pep Guardiola’s position – for now – remains unchanged, with the manager firmly focused on extending what he described as an “incredible period” at the Etihad Stadium.