'Pep Guardiola to wait on Man City contract decision' after shock twist

Pep Guardiola will hold off on making a decision about his contract situation at Man City until closer to the end of the season.

This is according to former Man United, West Ham and Tottenham scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the boss is in no rush to make a decision about his future.

As things stand, Guardiola's contract at the Etihad is set to expire at the end of the season, but the club are keen to tie him down to new terms.

Brown previously told Football Insider that they would "bend over backwards" to keep him as they looked to accelerate contract talks.

However, their shocking run of form, including four consecutive defeats in all competitions, has raised new questions about his future, and it has been said that he may call time on his stay in Manchester if he feels it has reached its natural conclusion.

Guardiola will decide closer to the end of the current season whether he will remain at City, after assessing whether he wants to lead them into their next stage.

Having won five of the last six Premier League titles, including the last four in a row, it has been suggested that he could step down for both parties to move in a new direction.

Pep Guardiola to make Man City contract decision later this season

Guardiola has managed 490 matches for City since taking over in July 2016, and has led them to win six league titles, four League Cups, two FA cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience at the top level including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period has insisted he remains open to all possibilities and will assess the situation before making a decision.

"I think he'll wait and see how the season pans out," he told Football Insider.

"Pep won't want to be seen to desert a sinking ship - not that I think they are a sinking ship, but that's how it would be judged after these results.

"The club obviously want to keep him there for a while longer and will offer an extension.

"But from what I've heard, he's in no rush to make a decision.

"I understand he's leaning towards staying, but it's a bit up in the air at the moment.

"So I think he might wait until later in the season and, if he feels he wants to lead them into the next stage, then he'll sign a new deal.

"If he doesn't and feels his stay in Manchester has run its course, then he'll step down.

"It really is up to him at this stage, but I wouldn't expect any concrete decision or news about it until everybody knows where they stand."

In other news, City staff are said to be concerned about Phil Foden.

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