Pep Guardiola is confident that, if he decides to leave next summer, Manchester City will not suffer the same fate as Manchester United did when Sir Alex Ferguson departed in May 2013. Guardiola will make a decision this winter on whether to extend his contract for a 10th year, while Txiki Begiristain has confirmed he will step down as City’s sporting director at the end of the season. Ferguson left United as champions, but they have struggled to be serious title contenders since his departure. “I don’t know what happened [at United],” Guardiola said. “I am pretty sure that [stability] is going to happen [here]. I know how it works. It would be a bad sign for the club if after just one person leaves, everything is dragged down. It [stability] is going to happen, for sure. Maybe they [the executive] will make mistakes, but during the mistakes, they will solve it. Immediately, that is for sure. The guys know exactly what they have to do.

“When it is going bad, they will find the solutions immediately. They will be patient, calm, and know what they have to do. Absolutely, I don’t have doubts about that. With Txiki for 12 years and in my case, it is normal that it looks like we cannot leave, but of course, we can move on. Life moves on. The Earth continues around.” Guardiola also mentioned that he is unsure when Kevin De Bruyne will return from a muscle problem. De Bruyne will be 34 next June, Kyle Walker will turn 35 in May, Bernardo Silva will be 31 in August, and Ederson is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabia. With Hugo Viana set to replace Begiristain, Guardiola was asked if next summer is crucial for recruitment.

“It’s a good question for Hugo Viana and Txiki. Every summer there is something, the club has to be ready. You pretend now everything is fine, young squad, and then two or three players knock the door and say: ‘I want to leave, I don’t play, I’m not happy here.’ And of course, there are players with certain ages and we have to see what will happen. I give my opinion, but it is a question for sporting directors.” Guardiola was also asked if he was consulted regarding Viana’s appointment. “No, I gave my opinion; on many things, I give my opinion,” he said, adding that he had not spoken to Viana, who will join from Sporting.

Source link:   https://www.theguardian.com