Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has delivered a fresh update on the future of manager Pep Guardiola.
The 53-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time and has spent the last eight seasons at the Etihad Stadium, winning a total of 17 trophies.
Guardiola has transformed his Citizens side into the dominant force of English football as they have won six of the last seven Premier League titles as well as winning four EFL Cups, two FA Cups and two Community Shields in that time.
Man City, who also won their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2022-23 under Guardiola, became the first team in English top-flight history to win four consecutive titles after beating West Ham United 3-1 on home soil on the final day of the 2023-24 campaign to finish two points clear of rivals Arsenal in second.
Guardiola has confirmed that he will remain in charge of Man City next season, but his long-term future at the Etihad remains uncertain, with his current contract due to expire in the summer of 2025.
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Guardiola admitted after Man City's final-day win over West Ham on May 19 that he is running out of things to achieve at the club and stated that he is now "closer to leaving than staying".
Recent reports have suggested that the Citizens are keen for Guardiola to stay and are preparing to offer the Catalan coach a contract extension.
However, other reports claim that Man City have resigned themselves to losing the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss when his current deal expires in a years' time.
Guardiola has previously expressed his desire to manage an international team at some stage in his career, while a potential move to Serie A is also thought to been an attractive proposition.
Speculation about Guardiola future also comes at a time when Man City are awaiting an outcome of the 115 Premier League charges they are facing, while the Citizens are allegedly suing England's top division and challenging their commercial rules.
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Nevertheless, Man City chairman Al Mubarak has insisted that he and the club are relaxed about Guardiola's future and has said that any talks over a contract extension will be negotiated at the right time in the best interests of all parties.
Speaking to the club's official website as part of his annual end-of-season address, Al Mubarak said: "We have had this conversation many times before, you know that, over the years of the contract.
"Pep has always been fully committed to this club, fully committed to every contract that he has signed with us.
"This decision on his future is always a decision that we will take together, and I have no doubt that we will find, as always, as always we have done, the right solution that works for Pep and works for us."
Guardiola is currently enjoying a well-earned holiday in the summer months, and after keeping a watchful eye over events at Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024, the Catalan will return to work ahead of Man City's pre-season tour of the USA in July.
Oliver Thomas
