Ciaran Morrison

Fri 13 March 2026 7:00, UK

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may have no interest in moving to the Middle East due to political tensions in the region.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after it was reported that Guardiola could be offered a chance to manage Al Ahli in Qatar.

Guardiola played for Al Ahli during his career, and the 55-year-old’s contract at the Etihad will expire at the end of next season.

There are rumours Guardiola could step down at Man City at the end of this season, with the Spaniard having been at the club since 2016.

Pep Guardiola to receive ‘big’ Qatar offer

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes political events could have a bearing on whether Guardiola wants to join Al Ahli.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness would be “surprised” to see Guardiola move to the Middle East.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “He has got history, and it’s with his old club Al-Ahli, I believe, in Qatar.

“But, you know, if you remember just recently, Pep made some quite frank comments, shall we say, about politics and social issues and was particularly, you know, hot on the Middle East issue. So I’d be surprised to see him go to Qatar.

“I know it’ll be a big offer. I still thought if he was going to go anywhere it would be the Saudi Premier League, but overall I just don’t see him going to the Middle East. 

“I don’t know if the recent world events that we’re all living through right now would have any bearing on it, so hopefully they’ll all be blown over by that time. But somehow I just don’t see Pep going to the Middle East at all.”

Finance expert reveals Tino Livramento price tag

Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Man City would have to pay £60million to sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle in the summer transfer window.

Newcastle are unlikely to entertain any offers underneath the £60m mark, with Livramento seen as one of their most valuable assets.

The 23-year-old’s season has been disrupted by injuries, but the full-back could be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at this summer’s World Cup.