Pep Guardiola has dodged questions about whether he could leave Manchester City at the end of the season amid renewed speculation about his future.
Sources have told ESPN that Guardiola was due to use the international break to decide whether or not he will see out his contract at the Etihad Stadium, which is set to expire in 2027.
City’s official stance is that they expect Guardiola to stay next season, although, according to sources, there would be little surprise at the club if the 55-year-old calls it quits in the summer.
Asked directly about his future at a news conference on Friday, Guardiola gave nothing away about his plans.
“I spoke many times about that,” said the City boss, referring to the time he still has left on his current deal.
Guardiola is preparing his players for the final run-in, which begins with an FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool on Saturday.
Liverpool travel to the Etihad having won just two of their last six games in all competitions and facing a daunting Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Guardiola, however, has warned his players not to underestimate Arne Slot’s team.
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“They have been the biggest rival,” Guardiola said.
“It is a team that made an incredible investment last season to be there for many years.
“They are a top contender with top class players. Hopefully we can perform at the level that we did against Arsenal to reach the next step [in the competition].”
Guardiola must decide whether to start Phil Foden against Liverpool after the 25-year-old endured a bruising international break with England.
Thomas Tuchel has suggested Foden’s poor form may cost him a place at the World Cup, but Guardiola insists he has no doubts about the midfielder.
“Zero,” he said.
“He’s 25, 26, won six Premier Leagues and the contribution he has done is incredible. What happens is a normal process in a long career. It’s a normal situation and the moment he will make the click and turn he will be back.”
