Pep Guardiola has refuted suggestions this could be his final season at Manchester City, quipping he will leave the Etihad Stadium when he is “75 or 76” years old.
Ahead of City’s final game before Christmas – at home to West Ham on Saturday – rumours that Guardiola was planning to resign at the end of this season intensified.
Guardiola signed a new two-year contract with City amid a poor run of form in November 2024, committing his future to the club until the end of 2026-27.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of Guardiola’s appointment as City boss, with 55.3% of his games in management (558 of 1,008) coming with the English club.
There had been suggestions that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca – a former protégé of Guardiola – could replace him next season, but for now, he is going nowhere.
“The last three or four years, every time during a certain period, someone asks me that question,” Guardiola, 54, said when asked about his future on Friday.
“Sooner or later, when I’m 75 or 76, I will quit Manchester City!
“I understand the question when I have the end of a contract, but I have 18 months left and I am so delighted and excited about the development of the team and being here.
“That is all I can say. That question happens every single season at a certain point, and I’m okay.
“The club and I are incredibly connected in terms of the decisions we have to take and when it’s going to happen [a parting of ways], it’s going to happen.”
Pep Guardiola imitating Erling Haaland’s headed goal to put @ManCity in front against Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/BGnlbRX2qu
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2025
Guardiola acknowledged there had been no talks over another contract extension and said City’s hierarchy must always be prepared for anything, but he is not planning to leave of his own volition.
“There are no discussions – end of subject. There are no discussions,” Guardiola continued.
“I will not be here eternally, I’ve said before, I will not be here forever. None of us will be forever in this world, but there are no discussions.
“What is going to happen will happen, and the club has to be prepared for everything. They are here unless they are going to sell the club, which I don’t think will happen.
“The rest, the club has to be prepared, but that subject is not on the table right now.”
