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Guardiola seems to have mastered a knack for skillfully avoiding—or nearly avoiding—all kinds of questions regarding his future management at Manchester City.
Speaking to those within football circles, everyone feels that this is highly likely to be the final week of Guardiola's brilliant decade at Manchester City. His current state is exactly as one would expect: completely focused on the next match, as Manchester City needs to play away against Bournemouth on Tuesday and win to keep the Premier League title suspense alive until the final round next Sunday.
He stated that on Saturday night, the players were not allowed to drink even a single glass of beer, and celebrations should be reserved for after the final home match of the season against Aston Villa, at the grand party held the next day at the Co-op Live Arena opposite the Etihad Stadium.
Subsequently, regardless of who wins the title, a grand parade will be held on the streets of Manchester. This parade will be open to fans while also celebrating the Manchester City Women's team winning the WSL title. At that time, some former men's team players might also attend.
Furthermore, this parade will also serve as a farewell ceremony for Bernardo Silva and John Stones, whose departures this summer have already become a certainty.
Manchester City maintains that no official decision has yet been made regarding Guardiola's future, and the club currently operates under the assumption that he will remain in his post. Until he formally informs Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the board of his departure, anything remains possible—but the celebration next Monday could also be his farewell performance.
Ever since the media revealed at the beginning of the year that Manchester City had contacted Guardiola's former assistant, Enzo Maresca, to guard against Guardiola's potential departure, he has repeatedly used the phrase “I still have a contract.”
On Saturday afternoon, a video of a BBC interview with him was exposed, which was filmed within minutes after he skillfully escaped the press conference the previous day. He answered "Yes," but when asked if he meant next season, he seemed somewhat annoyed. “I know the answer, and you should know the answer too. I will still be here after the Premier League season ends.”
Manchester City fans were quick to point out that he has never expressed any desire to leave, even if his body language has occasionally dropped hints. This is indeed a very reasonable point.
One could argue that he could have completely said "I will be here next season" instead of "I still have a contract." But the more important sign is that several sources within various departments of Manchester City's first team (who, like others in this article unauthorized to speak publicly, spoke on the condition of anonymity) expect Guardiola to leave after the end of this season.
Every department in the club has made preparations for his potential departure. These preparations, much like the contact with former Leicester City and Chelsea manager Maresca, do not definitively prove he will leave, but they do indicate a high probability of his departure.
The news that his long-serving fitness coach and close friend Lorenzo Buenaventura will leave Manchester City at the end of the season is seen by some who know them as another sign that Guardiola may be about to step down.
The timing of Guardiola's announcement of his departure has also been a topic of discussion among those close to him. Currently, it seems that because the Premier League title race remains up in the air, everything might proceed quietly over the next few days until Arsenal's match tomorrow (Monday) against Burnley and Manchester City's away game against Bournemouth 24 hours later are concluded.
If the title race is settled in midweek, the official announcement might be made a few days before the final game of the season against Villa. If the title race persists until the final round, things could become complicated, but will eventually be resolved.
Of course, Guardiola could ultimately decide to stay, which would make everything much simpler. He is said to feel energized and proud of the team's progress this season. What is certain is that regardless of who eventually wins the title over the next eight days, Manchester City enters the summer transfer window in an advantageous position, and under Guardiola's leadership, they would certainly achieve even greater success next season.
Deep down, he must have the desire to stay. He had previously been determined to leave Manchester City but ultimately changed his mind; two summers ago, he planned to step down after the 2024-25 season ended, departing alongside Director of Football Txiki Begiristain.
The Football Association (FA) had approached him regarding the England manager's position but did not receive a definitive answer. Begiristain’s departure was confirmed in October of that year, yet a month later, Guardiola signed a new contract, which shocked even those closest to him.
Last summer, it was evident from his body language that he was completely exhausted. Although during June and July, while Manchester City participated in the FIFA Club World Cup, the team seemed completely refreshed and a brand-new squad began to gel, the manager still felt completely burned out.
This situation changed quickly. After the players reassembled in August, he set about carrying out the most important task of the season—fostering a powerful dressing room atmosphere and a strong team spirit.
According to people close to Guardiola, he has fallen deeply in love with his team.
The Catalan has previously stated that he is "addicted" to this job. After signing the new contract, he expressed that he knew he should leave and enjoy a peaceful life, but he just couldn't do it.
He made those remarks during the same week he signed this new two-year contract—nonetheless, some close to Guardiola still believe he will only manage for one season. If this feeling turns out to be true, then he will step down within the next seven days.
