Guardiola says there's still time to decide his Manchester City future

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-01-31/Guardiola-says-there-s-still-time-to-decide-his-Manchester-City-future-1qOA2DL18dO/img/22375b238fdc4f11848ed6dd0c75cd7f/22375b238fdc4f11848ed6dd0c75cd7f.jpeg' alt='Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, looks on during the FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, January 26, 2024. /CFP'

Responding to a question about his contract extension, Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, told reporters on Tuesday that he has a lot to think about before deciding his future with the club.

Guardiola’s current deal with the reigning Premier League champions will end in 2025. Now is usually the time the two sides would negotiate an extension. However, there has been no word.

“Normally, the decision is quick,” Guardiola said at Tuesday’s press conference. “We cannot admit eight years is a lot of time. Next year will be nine seasons, so it is a lot of time. We have to see the players, how is their behavior, our standards, if we can keep it, and if the players follow you, if I am tired or not.”

Guardiola became City’s manager in the 2016-17 season and helped the club win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League title, among other trophies. His biggest rival during his tenure, Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool, last week announced his decision to step down after the 2023-24 campaign.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-01-31/Guardiola-says-there-s-still-time-to-decide-his-Manchester-City-future-1qOA2DL18dO/img/a6666b63dc674e4c8606cdfefb745704/a6666b63dc674e4c8606cdfefb745704.jpeg' alt='Erling Haaland (#9) of Manchester City tries to control the ball in the Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, December 6, 2023. /CFP'

“Extending after two years is not the same as extending after nine. It’s completely different. Still, I am sitting here, and I am OK,” Guardiola said. “I think we have time. Now I feel really good like always I have been, but football changes a lot. I have my opinion that when you have a year and a half left on your contract it is a lot, a lot of time in world football. We have time.”

City are currently in third place in the Premier League with 43 points after 20 games. Their ace striker, Erling Haaland, will come back to the field after being out for two months because of injury, Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday.

“First time he is back,” the manager said. “We have all the squad; we are stronger. He is an important player for us. Haaland had a stress of the bone, so it is a completely different approach, but step by step.”

Haaland scored 19 goals and five assists in 22 games for City this season before the injury. They will host Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on Wednesday.