Mikel Arteta has offered a dignified response to speculation that Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City, insisting the time is not right for tributes. The Arsenal manager, who learned under Guardiola at City before returning to the Gunners nearly seven years ago, was asked about the future of the City boss amid widespread reports that Guardiola will depart after Sunday's match against Aston Villa.
Guardiola, 55, has kept everyone guessing about his plans all season. Ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea, he hinted he might see out the final year of his contract, but reports late Monday confirmed he is expected to leave. Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea in January, is reportedly lined up to replace Guardiola, having served as his assistant at the Etihad earlier in his career.
Arteta, whose own success owes much to Guardiola's mentorship, opted for a brief and classy response: 'I cannot comment on that. I think the day that he makes the decision to stay or leave, then we can comment.'
City have yet to respond to the mounting speculation ahead of their game against Bournemouth. A victory would keep the title race alive until the final day, potentially setting up a fairy-tale end to Guardiola's reign. At Monday's pre-match press conference, Guardiola was asked about his intentions and sighed: 'Next (question). So many times – I have one more year!'
When asked if he would be honoured to have the newly-expanded North Stand at the Etihad named after him, he replied: 'No, no, no, no, no, no, I have no idea (about) that. They don't have to do anything, honestly.' Guardiola reflected on his time at City and the departures of John Stones and Bernardo Silva, saying: 'The important thing in our lives is when you look back and say, 'Wow, you can look with a big smile and that is good'.'
He added: 'Whatever happens in this part of the season, and when I extend my contract three more years, and after that I look back and say, how nice it has been.'
