Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has fueled future speculation that he could leave the club after the 2024/25 season. The Spaniard has been with the reigning English champions since signing on in 2016. He most recently penned a contract extension back in 2022. The deal, however, only keeps the legendary coach in place until June 2025.
As a result, Guardiola, the highest-paid Premier League manager, is set to be out of contract at the end of the current campaign. The Spanish coach’s future with City has been one of the most-followed soccer stories in recent months. While he has yet to give a definitive answer regarding the issue, a move behind the scenes at City may help sway his decision.
Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, recently announced that he would be leaving the club after 12 years on the job. Guardiola and Begiristain have a close relationship after previously working together at Barcelona.
The Spanish duo were first teammates at the Catalan club in the 1990s. They then later worked together at the Spanish side as executive and manager. Begiristain eventually left Barca for City in 2012 and essentially helped the English team attract Guardiola four years later.
Guardiola: ‘A part of me is leaving’ with Begiristain
Guardiola was asked about the upcoming departure of his close friend during a press conference on Friday. “Part of me is leaving,” proclaimed the coach. “A friend of mine, an architect who created one of the best teams at Barcelona, and here. Personally, he will be missed a lot.”
“He made me balanced in this job. I’m so energetic, and when we lose, I want to destroy everything, and he always said, ‘Take a moment.’ In all the families, we have to move on, and the club will move on.”
Guardiola was recently linked with the England national team job before the Football Association (FA) eventually hired Thomas Tuchel. The Spaniard was asked multiple times on Friday if he…
Author : Chris Moore
Publish date : 2024-10-18 17:09:34
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The post Executive’s departure from City may affect Guardiola’s future first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-10-18 21:53:43
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