Man City chief Ferran Soriano gives verdict on what will happen when Pep Guardiola leaves
Manchester City chief Ferran Soriano insists that the Citizens are a big enough club to maintain their place as one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League after Pep Guardiola leaves the Etihad Stadium, with the manager yet to sign a new contract.
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has insisted that the club is strong enough to survive Pep Guardiola leaving at the end of his contract. But, the Etihad chief assured fans that the manager won’t be quitting the club anytime soon.
Guardiola won’t be leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season but the club will survive when he does eventually leave, claimed Soriano.
The current City boss is contracted at the club until the end of the 2020-2021 season, and has already admitted that he’s “open” to the idea of staying at the club.
Speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future has been rumbling on, after a difficult first half of the Premier League season, compared with City’s previous two campaigns.
Bayern Munich and Juventus have both been linked with a move for Guardiola in recent months.
The boss had previously admitted that he’ll step aside if things weren’t going to plan at the club.
Man City news: Pep Guardiola will sign a new contract, claims Etihad Stadium chief Soriano (Image: GETTY Images)
But, Soriano assured fans that there’s no way Guardiola will be moving on any time soon and, even if he does, that they can survive.
Speaking at the Dubai International Sports conference, Soriano said: “Pep has said so many times that he has a contract that covers this year, plus next year too.
“There is no discussion about this.
“Pep will stay and he’ll leave at the right time one day – and the club is strong enough to survive any change.
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The City boss is yet to sit down and discuss terms of his new deal, however.
He insisted that he needs to prove he deserves a new contract, despite becoming the only manager in the club’s history to win two league titles.
He has assured chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that he’ll happily step aside if it appears the club is spiralling into a downturn.
But, it’s believed City’s current position is nowhere near that level, with the club still in all three cup competitions.
Man City news: City are currently third in the Premier League table (Image: GETTY Images)
Guardiola has by far the highest win percentage of any manager in the club’s recent history.
But, the Citizens are still currently 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played one more match.
Most recently, City lost 3-2 against Wolves on Friday night, although they played most of the match with 10 men.
Despite losing five of their 19 Premier League fixtures this season, Guardiola’s side are still seven points clear of fifth-place Manchester United, with a game in hand.