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'I will talk with my chairman' - Pep Guardiola coy on future after title slips away

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, acknowledges the fans following the team's 1-1 draw in the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
'The first person I have to talk to is my chairman'

Pep Guardiola has suggested he has still to make a decision over his future.

It has been strongly reported since Monday evening that the Manchester City manager will stand down at the end of the season after 10 years in charge.

The club have not commented on the speculation and Guardiola continued to point out he still has one year remaining on his contract after Tuesday's Premier League game at Bournemouth.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: "I could say that I have one more year of my contract and from my experience, when you announce, whatever you announce, during the competition (you get) bad results.

"So, you understand, the first person I have to talk to is my chairman.

"We both decided when we finish the season we’ll sit and we will talk, it’s as simple as that. After we will take the decision.

"I would not tell you here because I have to talk with my chairman, with my players, with my staff, because when we play for the FA Cup, when we play for qualification for the Champions League, for the Premier League – it’s just one thing in my mind and the focus is trying to bring the team to the highest point."

Afterwards, Guardiola, who began his post-match press conference by congratulating the Gunners and their manager Mikel Arteta, initially used the word "we" when asked about his club's future prospects, before saying "City".

"Next season, we will be back," said the 55-year-old, who has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 10-year reign.

"City will be back and we will try to bring the team in that sense: competing until the end in the competitions."

City host Aston Villa in their final game of the 2025-26 season on Sunday.

Their hopes of taking the title race to the last day ended as they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.

If Guardiola does leave, it would bring to an end one of the most successful managerial reigns in English football history.

Since the 55-year-old’s appointment in 2016, City have won 20 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

They have also won the FA Cup three times and lifted the Carabao Cup on five occasions, including both competitions this term.

There have also been reports City have already lined up Guardiola’s former assistant Enzo Maresca as his successor. The Italian been out of work since leaving Chelsea at the start of the year.

Maresca, 46, worked as Guardiola’s number two during their treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, having previously been part of City’s academy set-up.

He subsequently guided Leicester to promotion to the Premier League before joining Chelsea, where he won the Club World Cup and Conference League during his only full season in charge.

Watch the Women's Champions League final, Barcelona v Lyon, on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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