Pep Guardiola teases new Man City contract in explanation over 'leaving' remarks

Pep Guardiola has insisted he could still sign a new contract at Manchester City, clarifying previous comments where he appeared to suggest he would walk away from the club in 2025.

Guardiola's deal at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, but towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign he claimed he was 'closer to leaving than staying'.

However, while away on City's tour of the USA, Guardiola took time to set the record straight and opened the door to extending his stay in Manchester.

"When I'm leaving, I will say I'm leaving, but I didn't say that," Guardiola stressed. "We will see what happens. But I will not rule it out absolutely to extend my contract. I would love to stay because I would love to stay.

"[I was] saying that I [had] been eight years in Man City. So I'm not here for eight more years. So that's why I'm closer to leaving than staying. But I didn't say I'm leaving!

"Nine years today in the same club is an eternity, I want to be sure it's the right decision. Not just for me, for the club, for the players.

"Still they [the players] run like they ran for eight years, it doesn't matter the competition, it doesn't matter the tournament.

"It's good to refresh, for players and managers. At the same time, we have had success and are still winning Premier Leagues and we are playing competitions like the Champions League. This is my feeling right now."

Guardiola has overseen the most successful spell in City's history, leading them to six Premier League titles, their first ever Champions League, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

They have been pushed to the limit by Arsenal and Guadiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta over the last couple of Premier League seasons, with the 2023/24 title race going to the final day of the campaign.

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