‘I don’t want to be a problem’ - Pep Guardiola’s mixed response when asked about Man City future

Pep Guardiola gave a mixed response when asked about his Manchester City future.

The 51-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season, with reports over the last year suggesting he plans to extend his deal.

When asked about his future on Friday, Guardiola gave a non-committal answer, saying he would be keen to agree a new contract but also claimed he would only do so if he felt ‘sure’ and that he didn’t want to ‘be a problem’.

“I would not change my life here for one second,” the City manager responded, when asked about his future. “It’s not about that. It’s seven seasons already.

“We spoke with the club and in the middle of the season, at the end of the season, we will talk again about how we feel. We will decide the best for the club.

“I have said many times I would extend,” he continued. “If they wanted, I would like to stay longer, at the same time, I have to be sure.

“It’s not the second season or the third season and I have to see the players and how they behave. I don’t want to be a problem, sometimes when you extend things you force it and that’s not good.

“You have to make the situations go through and relax. These situations will happen naturally. You force it and it is not going to go well. We will see what happens during the season and how we feel. The best [action] for the club will be taken.”

City begin their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a trip to the capital and face West Ham United on Sunday, a 4:30pm kick-off.

It’s the final match of the opening weekend and offers a tough challenge against a well-drilled side, who held City to a 2-2 draw last term in one of the few games they dropped points in during the final months of the season.