Sources: Pep Guardiola making Man City exit decision amid new whispers
Pep Guardiola will make the final decision about his future at Man City and will leave the club on his own terms regardless of the speculation surrounding him.
Reports have suggested the 55-year-old is growing tired of his position at Man City following last season’s trophyless campaign and potentially another on the horizon.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, there are growing whispers that the legendary manager could be set to move on.
Those whispers are not just coming out of City but have also been mentioned around the other Premier League clubs given Guardiola‘s revered status.
The manager’s current contract at the Etihad is set to expire in 2027, but amid what is proving to be a frustrating season, he could leave sooner than expected.
Man City preparing for Pep Guardiola exit
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 3 February that Guardiola is no longer happy at Man City and could leave the club.
Guardiola’s side drew 2-2 with Tottenham in their last Premier League outing, although they have since progressed into the Carabao Cup final, where they will face Arsenal.
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 the boss out.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Yeah, it does seem to be a bit of a growing feeling that Guardiola could leave at the end of the season.
“Wherever he’s previously been, he has seen out of contract, but there are a lot of rumours going around that Guardiola could leave City this summer.
“This is his tenth season at City, so he is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League right now, and he has lasted longer at City than he has at previous clubs.
“There’s talk going around other Premier League clubs that they feel that this could be Guardiola’s final season in charge as well, so look, there’s no smoke without fire as they say in that respect.
“It’s one that’s probably going to rumble on till the end of the season obviously City will leave it in Guardiola’s hands.
“He’s earned that right at the club as well and whatever his decision is, if he wants to leave at end of the season or when his contract is dispersed in 2027 that will be his decision.”
Vincent Kompany tipped to replace Guardiola
Amid ongoing speculation surrounding the manager’s future, City have begun assessing potential replacements in case they are forced to act quickly.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 3 February that Vincent Kompany is Man City’s top target to replace Guardiola if they can prise him away from Bayern Munich.
Kompany is enjoying a strong season with the Bundesliga champions, who currently sit six points clear at the top of the league and have lost just one game.
Enzo Maresca, who worked at City as Guardiola’s assistant, informed Chelsea that he had spoken to representatives of City before his departure in January.
Xabi Alonso will also be of interest to the Premier League giants following his departure from Real Madrid, but is on the radar at Liverpool as well.
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