‘Edging closer’: Why Rodri is now considering a Man City exit amid Pep Guardiola uncertainty
Rodri is considering his long-term future at Man City and could be tempted to move on if Pep Guardiola decides to walk away at the end of the season.
Guardiola‘s future is very much up in the air despite Man City remaining in a Premier League title race, with suggestions he could leave before his contract expires.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Rodri is now edging closer to leaving the Etihad given doubts about his manager’s future.
The decisions are expected to be tied together, with the manager playing a key role in keeping Rodri at the club given the close relationship they have established.
However, Real Madrid are believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation and could lure him away from the Etihad if there is little keeping him there.
- Read more: Man City have a Rodri replacement lined up.
Rodri edging closer to Man City exit
Football Insider revealed last month that Real Madrid are desperate to sign Rodri, although they could struggle to agree a deal with City if he does not push for the move.
However, should Guardiola walk away from the Etihad one year before his contract expires, Rodri could be tempted to follow suit.
“There is a chance Rodri will leave if Guardiola walks away,” Brown told Football Insider.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty about his future, I don’t think they can ignore that at the moment, we don’t know what Guardiola is going to do in the summer.
“For Rodri, there is a bit of a feeling he could be edging closer to a move away after things he’s saying in press conferences, and he doesn’t quite look like the same player.
“There’s always talk about Real Madrid, but Man City have been able to put off that talk so far.
“Everybody knows the two of them have a strong relationship, so if Pep is staying next season, I think Rodri probably will, their decisions will be connected in that sense.
“It’s a difficult one to predict at the moment, but there’s no doubt there is a bit of a strange feeling around Man City this season, I just can’t put my finger on what it is.”
- Read more: Who will be the next Man City manager?
Will Pep Guardiola walk away from Man City this summer?
Brown told Football Insider on 3 February that Guardiola is not happy at Man City and is edging towards an early departure from the Etihad in the near future.
The boss’ current deal is set to run until 2027 and the club have proven they will do everything in their power to back and support him for further success.
However, that has done little to stem the uncertainty surrounding him amid continued suggestions he could look to move on at the end of the season.
Should City fail to win any trophies for a second consecutive season, after losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace last year, it could push Guardiola out.
They are currently second in the Premier League table, with Arsenal the favourites, and will face the Gunners in the League Cup final, and remain in the Champions League.
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