Manchester City awaits the verdict in their legal battle with the Premier League, but uncertainty over manager Josep Guardiola’s future continues to grow
Man City fear Pep Guardiola could leave the club (Image: Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Manchester City officials are more concerned about the possibility of Josep Guardiola leaving the club than an impending sentence on 115 charges in the Premier League. City staunchly denies any wrongdoing, but has been embroiled in a legal battle with management for the past three years.
The hearings have been retroactively completed to December 2024, but no verdict has been reached yet. If found guilty, City could face penalties ranging from hefty fines to possible point deductions.
But Guardiola’s uncertain future poses an even bigger consternation for those at Etihad Airways. The Telegraph reports that City’s dressing room are well aware that contingency plans are in place in case the manager leaves at the end of the season.
Guardiola’s contract runs until the summer of 2027, but he has consistently indicated he will work on his future this year. The Catalan manager will reach his 10th year in charge by the 2026/27 season and has won everything in the Premier League, including six titles.
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However, this year they got off to a poor start, failing to win any league matches and suffering a humiliating defeat to Bod/Glimt in the Champions League in midweek. “Everything went wrong,” Guardiola admitted after the 3-1 defeat in the Arctic Circle.
According to reports, Guardiola’s behavior around the training ground has not changed despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, and he appears as keen as ever to get City back to the top.
Speculation over his future increased earlier this week after former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys suggested the City manager was set to step down soon.
Guardiola’s contract expires in the summer of 2027 (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
“I think he left at the end of the season for sure,” Keys told beIN Sport after the defeat to United at Old Trafford.
“But don’t rule out the possibility of him being out this week. This week. If he is out this week, (Enzo) Maresca will be in charge against Wolves.”
“City will have a stroke and of course they will deny it, but in his head they are telling him to leave this week. He often does things like this so you can’t read into him too much, but this time he can.”
Unsurprisingly, Guardiola will still be in the dugout when they face Wolves on Saturday. And ahead of that game, he appeared to have become quite optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“A week ago we were in Newcastle and won 2-0, but if you look at the Champions League you can see how strong they are,” Guardiola said. “I have a great team and we are all together, I have no doubts about that.
“(Arsenal) are the best team in the world. They are the best team at the moment and hopefully we get closer and even better and they give us one chance to catch them.”
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