'A part of me is leaving': Pep Guardiola gives the biggest clue yet about Manchester City's future

By premiernews On Oct 18, 2024

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said “a part of me is leaving” after sporting director Txiki Begiristain left the club in 2025.

Begiristain will depart his position at the end of the season and will be replaced by Hugo Viana of Sporting Lisbon.

Guardiola is in his eighth season at City but his contract expires next summerCredit: Getty

His departure could have a big impact on Guardiola's future as coach of the Premier League champion, as both are close friends.

City They are interested in tying him down to a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, but there is a growing feeling he could leave in the near future with his contract expiring next summer.

Speaking ahead of City's Premier League trip to Wolves about Begiristain's impending departure, he said: “A part of me is leaving.

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“A friend of mine, an architect who created one of the best teams in Barcelona and here. Personally we will miss him a lot. He made me balanced in this job.

“I have a lot of energy and when we lose I want to destroy everything and he always said 'take a moment'. We have to move on and the club will move on.”

Guardiola was then asked if the FA had contacted him about the England job before appointing Thomas Tuchel.

The Spaniard had been a speculated candidate amid his contract situation at City, but said: “It doesn't matter.

“The club has options on when Pep will leave. Sooner or later it will happen and they have to prepare. It won't be a surprise.

“I want to be really convinced that it is the best for the club. I will not delay any action thinking that it will be a problem for the club.”

Begiristain, Guardiola's friend and sports director, leaves next yearCredit: Getty

The Spaniard insists that it would not be a surprise if he also leftCredit: AFP

City goalkeeper Ederson believes the club may already have a replacement for Guardiola 'in mind' before your contract expires.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim, who was previously linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, is also emerging as a potential candidate.

If Guardiola were to end his time at City next year, it would end one of the most dominant periods in English football.

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After great success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the 53-year-old joined the club in 2016 and won their Premier League title two years later.

It would be the first of an incredible six titles City have won during his tenure so far, four of them in the last four seasons.

Guardiola has also delivered two FA Cups and three Carabao Cups, as well as the club's first Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles in 2023.

A surprising seventh Premier League win could come this season as City sit second in the table after seven games.

City have enjoyed a great run of success since Guardiola became bossCredit: Getty

They remain unbeaten and just one point behind leaders Liverpool, while last season's rival Arsenal only trailed behind on goal difference.

City winning the crown once again could mark a fairytale ending to Guardiola's career in Manchester, or it may encourage him to stay and help achieve even more success.

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