“I am closer to leaving” – Guardiola hints despite commitment to next season at City

Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will remain with Manchester City next season, but his long-term future at the club remains uncertain.

During an interview with Sky Sports, the City manager hinted nearing the end of his tenure at the Etihad.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” Guardiola stated. “We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now.

“I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see. I didn’t expect to stay eight or nine years.

“I expected three, four or five but not much. I cannot believe it. It’s the Premier League. It’s the toughest one.”

Recalling last season’s treble win, Guardiola revealed he nursed the feeling of quitting, having won it all.

“We were in Istanbul and I said, ‘It’s over. What am I doing here? There is nothing left.’ But I have a contract.

“I am here and I am still enjoying some of the moments, sometimes tired but some of them I love.

“After a few days, we start playing good, winning games, different players, and we start to think about how no one has done four in a row. Why not try it?”

Guardiola admits he doesn’t know what the motivation for next season will be, but is committed to giving his all.

“Next season, right now, I am not able to know what will be the motivation to do it. It is difficult sometimes to find it when everything is done.

“But I know that the players and myself will be there and think, why shouldn’t we win today? Why not? Why should we not work as much as possible to do what we have to do? And I know we are going to do it. I know,” he vows.