‘This is the one thing that could keep Pep Guardiola at Man City’
Pep Guardiola could be tempted to remain at Man City beyond the end of the season despite widespread suggestions that he could quit the club early.
The arrivals of both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi during the mid-season transfer window were pushed for by the boss, and he retains the club’s full backing.
As a result, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Guardiola will be reluctant to walk away before the end of his contract.
The Man City 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.
There are doubts about whether he would walk away so soon after bringing two of his top targets in, but no decision will be made until closer to the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola could still stay at Man City
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.
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.
“There is one thing I think can keep Pep Guardiola at Man City,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s got the backing and support of the board, and they made that clear when they went out and signed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in the transfer window.
“Guardiola wanted both of those players, so City said okay and went out and got them, even when there were other teams looking at both of them.
“I can’t imagine they would have joined if there was any indication Pep would be leaving.
“I think that’s shown that the board are with him and they want to do what they can to get things back on track and get back to winning ways.
“They have faith in him of course, even if they’re not going to win the league this season and I think it will be difficult from the position they’re in now.”
Man City set sights on Vincent Kompany appointment
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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