Josep Guardiola speaks after Man City vs. Bournemouth draw (Image: Sky Sports)
Manager Josep Guardiola insists he will hold detailed discussions with his bosses at Manchester City in the coming days and is expected to leave the club at the end of the season. City’s title bid ended on Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. This result confirms Arsenal as Premier League champions for the 2025-26 season. Just 24 hours before the game at the Vitality Stadium, news broke that Guardiola would be leaving the club this summer.
Questions about Pep’s future were banned before the match, but the legendary Catalan manager was left on the spot after City’s chances of becoming champions for a seventh time under him were officially extinguished on the south coast. Guardiola, who spent 10 years at City, told Sky Sports: “I can say that I have one year left on my contract. From the experience of many years of discussions, when you make an announcement during a tournament – no matter what you make – it’s always a bad, bad result.”
“The first person I have to talk to is the chairman, because we both decided that we will sit down and talk after the season is over. It’s very simple. Once the season is over, we’ll see how it goes and we’ll talk about it. Then we’ll make a decision.”
“I have one more year left on my contract. I can’t say it here, but I have to speak to the chairman, the players and the staff. I’m the happiest man on the planet at this club. This is extraordinary.”
“Obviously, the season is over for us. We wanted to arrive at the last game (against them) with our fans, but we know they will come (to the Etihad Stadium) because they have seen so many great performances in 10 seasons in so many moments.”
The 55-year-old added at the post-match press conference: “I always talk to the club, but it’s different now. The first thing you have to understand is that I have to talk to the chairman first. We will talk in the next few days.”
“First we have to talk to the president about what we should do. I’m fine. Now is the time to talk to him and then we’ll see what happens. Next season we will be back. City will be back. We will fight to the end in the competition.”
Guardiola also sent a message to Arsenal and former City assistant manager Mikel Arteta about helping the Gunners become the first team to win the league since 2003-04.
“On behalf of all of Man City and my team, I congratulate Arsenal, Mikel[Arteta]his staff, the backroom staff, all the players and fans for this Premier League. They deserve it!”
Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page
Josep Guardiola expected to leave Man City with one year left on contract (Image: Getty)
“That’s a question for him, but I’m sure it will be special. They’ve put in a lot of effort and effort. So, congratulations.”
Pep elaborated in a press conference: “We need to congratulate Arsenal, Mikel, the backroom staff and the fans for what they deserve in the Premier League.
“We wanted to arrive at the last moment. We were still tired today. Bournemouth had 12 days to prepare. The fresh players didn’t have enough of an impact. We fought a lot and we will prepare for next season.”
The six-time Premier League-winning manager felt City’s fixture list was against them. He added: “We want to arrive at the last moment against Aston Villa. Today we missed the pace and the situations we needed to play against Bournemouth. They are a really good team.”
“The final wasn’t very good because we went to London for the Chelsea (FA Cup final) game. Our calendar at this time of the season was really tough.
“Let me tell you Mr. Chairman, I love the fans more. I love that place. Let me tell you about my club. I was incredibly focused on my job.”
