Pep Guardiola\'s Future At City Uncertain Despite Contract Through 2027
Staff at Manchester City\'s Football Academy believe this could be Pep Guardiola\'s final season despite his contract running through 2027, though others feel the manager could still be convinced to extend his stay.
Sources indicate Guardiola\'s future depends heavily on his energy levels and his working relationship with new director of football Hugo Viana. City bosses have decided the 54-year-old manager has earned the right to choose his departure timing.
Some staff members at the City Football Academy expect Guardiola to leave after this season. Others believe he could sign another contract extension despite admitting he is approaching the end of his managerial career.
The manager\'s relationship with Viana will prove crucial to any future decision. Viana recently replaced Txiki Begiristain, who was described as Guardiola\'s great friend and longtime collaborator.
City leadership decided long ago that Guardiola has earned the right to determine how and when he departs. The Spanish manager has delivered 18 trophies during nine years at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola acknowledged that last season\'s trophy-less campaign was so disappointing he might have been dismissed by any other top club. He extended his contract partly because he didn\'t want to leave City during a difficult transition period.
The manager faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet after losing 15 players from his 2023 Champions League final squad. Key departures include Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan.
City started the 2025-26 season poorly, losing two of their first three matches after beating Wolves 4-0. They sit six points behind champions Liverpool and below Manchester United in the table.
\"Modern football is not positional, you have to ride the rhythm,\" Guardiola said while acknowledging tactical changes needed in the modern Premier League.
The manager has tried adapting his possession-based style by incorporating more direct attacks and high pressing. Early results have been mixed, with defensive vulnerabilities exposed in defeats to Tottenham and Brighton.
Guardiola\'s achievements deserve a championship finale similar to Sir Alex Ferguson\'s departure from Manchester United in 2013. The article suggests the manager needs to build another great team capable of thriving in the Premier League\'s current era to achieve the perfect send-off.
Via Rob Dawson/ESPN