‘Nothing left’ - Pep Guardiola makes admission about Man City future after record title

Pep Guardiola has admitted he is ‘closer to leaving than staying’ at Manchester City when his current contract expires, although added he has no imminent plans to move on.

The manager’s current deal is up in 12 months time, at which point he will have completed nine years at the Etihad. On Sunday, Guardiola won a record-breaking fourth consecutive top-flight title and a sixth in seven years.

The 3-1 win over West Ham United secured top spot above Arsenal, who finished the campaign with 16 victories in 18, but it still could catch City’s. After such relentless success, it does leave Guardiola wondering what his next big challenge will be.

It’s a thought the City boss admitted he had after winning the Champions League a year ago. “I had that feeling last season. After Istanbul I said: ‘It’s over, there’s nothing left’.

“But I have a contract, I’m still here and enjoying. Some moments I’m a bit tired but some of the moments I love and after we are here winning games, different players, looking good with new players.

“I start to think that no one has done four in a row, why don’t we try? And now I feel it’s done, so what next? FA Cup [final against ­Manchester United on Saturday] .Gary Lineker told me that no team has done back-to-back Premier Leagues and FA Cups. It’s our rivals and what I want for my players is to enjoy two or three days [of this title success] and then we have two days to prepare for the final.

“But right now I don’t know what exactly the moti­vation is to do it [next season] because it’s difficult to find it when everything is done.”

Guardiola was clearly feeling the emotions of a landmark day as City wrapped up a record-breaking title and Jurgen Klopp bid farewell to English football. The former Barcelona manager teared up in his post-match press conference as he said his own goodbyes to his old adversary, and also predicted Arsenal will continue to challenge for many years to come.

But the topic of Guardiola’s future will continue to dominate into next season, and he admitted in a separate interview that he is nearing an exit. “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying [after next season],” he told Sky Sports. “Eight years will be nine. Right now I am feeling I want to stay next season.

“We have talked with the club, we will have time to talk next season. I will stay next season and during we will have time to talk next season because I have to see the players as well, if they follow me. I will stay during the season.”