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Manchester City 'hopeful they can persuade Pep Guardiola to stay beyond 2025'

Man City 'hopeful they can persuade Guardiola to stay beyond 2025'
© Reuters
Manchester City are reportedly yet to give up hope that they can persuade manager Pep Guardiola to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2025.

Manchester City have reportedly not given up hope that they can persuade manager Pep Guardiola to extend his contract beyond 2025.

The 52-year-old successfully steered the Citizens to their first-ever Champions League trophy courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in Saturday's final.

Man City also got their hands on the Premier League and FA Cup in the 2022-23 campaign and they have become the first English club since rivals Manchester United 24 years ago to win a domestic and continental treble.

Guardiola has now won 14 trophies during his time in charge of the Citizens since joining in the summer of 2016, including five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields and the Champions League.

The Catalan coach penned a two-year contract extension at the Etihad Stadium in November, keeping him tied to the club until the summer of 2025.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola poses with the trophy as he celebrates after winning the Premier League on May 21, 2023© Reuters

However, a recent report claims that Guardiola is leaning towards ending his legendary career as Man City manager when his current contract expires.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is understood to have considered the prospect of managing an international team, with South American giants Brazil one nation who have been credited with an interest.

According to ESPN correspondent Rob Dawson, Man City would respect Guardiola's decision if he does decide to leave in two years' time, but they have not given up hope that the Catalan could decide to extend his stay.

The report adds that Guardiola is yet to make a decision on his long-term future, but he has already confirmed that he will remain in charge of City next season irrespective of the club's treble success and the alleged 115 financial charges against them.

"Right now I am not thinking about leaving, but who knows? But I am not thinking," Guardiola told reporters at the end of last month.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after winning the Champions League on June 10, 2023© Reuters

"I would like to continue here next season independent of the results. I would like it, but I don't know what I am going to feel, winning or losing the two chances we have ahead of us.

"My feeling is that I have a contract, and when I sign, I want to respect the club. I will stay next season while there are 115 breaches against us. Don't worry, we will be there."

The 2023-24 season will be Guardiola's eighth in charge of the Citizens, and a potential extension to his current deal would see him reach or surpass a decade of management at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, there are still doubts over the future of Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan who is out of contract at the end of this month and is yet to make a final decision on whether to extend his deal.

The 32-year-old, who has been linked with Barcelona, Arsenal and clubs in Saudi Arabia, will be among the centre of celebrations when Man City hold an open-top bus parade in the streets of Manchester on Monday evening.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League on June 10, 2023
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