Guardiola likely to stay despite challenges – Man City expert, Jack Gaughan

DAILYMAIL

Even after enduring an uncharacteristically poor campaign, Mail sport’s Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan has refuted rumours Pep Guardiola may be tempted to leave the club at the end of the season in the latest episode of the ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast.

The six-time Premier League winning manager signed a two-year contract extension last year, but after recent disappointing results against Brighton and Nottingham Forest, IAKO host Ian Ladyman raised the spectre of Pep’s departure.

To the relief of City fans, club insider Gaughan revealed the Spaniard’s resolve to turn the club’s form around was stronger than ever, with Pep already drafting a list of names to strengthen his squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Manchester City currently sit in fifth in the Premier League, with that position likely to be enough to secure Champions League football next season – an important draw to attract new players.

‘The worse it gets; the more likely Pep will stay.,’ said Gaughan. ‘City are treading water really, waiting for next season.

‘They need to try and finish top five. A few weeks ago, if you’d asked me about top five, I’d have said, it’s absolutely nailed on, no problem.

Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan has refuted rumours Pep Guardiola may be tempted to leave the club at the end of the season in the latest episode of the ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast.

Although City will hold on to their manager, the summer will see changes made to the squad as veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Gundogan are mooted to leave Pep’s side.

‘Then they lost at Forest, they weren’t great. Then there was the Brighton game – they’ve dropped five points in two weeks and suddenly it’s becoming quite congested again.’ 

Although Gaughan is confident City will hold on to their legendary manager, the summer will see changes made to the squad, with veterans such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan linked with exits.

De Bruyne and Gundogan’s contracts expire after the 2024-25 season, while rumours have suggested that new director of football Hugo Viana will look to move Silva on after a noticeable decline in his performances.