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Pep Guardiola says he is 10 years away from considering his future as Manchester City manager and has “completely unfinished business” with the Premier League title hopefuls.
Six-time English champion Guardiola’s former performance analyst Carles Planchart, who left City at the end of their underwhelming 2024/25 season, suggested this week that the Spaniard had stayed too long at the club and needs a break.
“He’s right, but in 2035 I will start to think about it,” responded Guardiola, adding that the “feeling” a coach should leave “comes naturally” around players and staff.
“If I have the feeling that I’m the problem, I will step aside. We are doing much, much better in every game than last season. It’s completely unfinished business and that’s why I’m here.”
Pep Guardiola: Man City ‘energy’
Having won the title in each of the previous three campaigns, City only qualified for the Champions League on the final day of last season, leading to speculation that Guardiola – appointed in 2016 – could leave.
“I had a feeling you want to sack me – you don’t want to see me here,” Guardiola jibed at the reporter asking about his future.
“I’m fine. My staff and the new players bring me energy. My target is to have a better season than last season.”
Man City vs Everton: Rodri out
City are three points behind leaders Arsenal and two above Everton before the Toffees visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT).
Rodri is out but Guardiola expects fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic to feature and said striker Omar Marmoush and wideman Rayan Ait-Nouri trained on Friday following injuries, adding that the pair are “much better” and “close” to returning.
Guardiola praised Jack Grealish’s early impact at Everton, who the playmaker joined from City on a season-long loan, as “massive”.
“He’s a lovely guy but, for different reasons, he didn’t play [often for us] for 90 minutes,” said Guardiola, admitting that he has not spoken to the former England player since the deal was agreed.
“Now he’s back to business. Hopefully, tomorrow I will [speak to] him.”
Erling Haaland: Norway striker ‘outstanding’
Erling Haaland reached 51 international goals with a hat-trick in Norway’s 5-0 home win over Israel on Saturday, moving his country closer to a first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1998.
“He feels really good and his performance level – not just in terms of goals – is outstanding,” observed Guardiola.
“When it drops – because it is impossible to sustain – I will be there. Now, he doesn’t need compliments or anything special..”
