Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped about his future at Manchester City following a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, which confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions. The manager, who has been at the helm for a decade, refused to confirm reports that he has informed his players of his departure.
Guardiola's Deflection
When pressed on the matter, Guardiola said: "I could say I have one year of contract – the conversation we have had for many years." He deflected questions by repeating a familiar refrain: "Always from my experience, when you [media] announce whatever you announce during a competition, it is a bad, bad result."
Consultation with Hierarchy
Guardiola insisted that the first person to know his decision would be Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the chair of City Football Group, and he would also consult with chief executive Ferran Soriano. "The first person I have to talk to is my chairman because we both decide – we will talk, it is simple as that and after that we will take the decision," he stated.
He added: "Listen, I have one more year. I will not tell you here as I have to talk to my chairman, with my players and with my staff. I am the happiest man on the planet to be in this club. This club is extraordinary."
Impending Conversation
Guardiola acknowledged that his discussion with Mubarak was imminent. "I always said that when you are fighting for the titles or Premier Leagues or FA Cups, in the first moment there is a problem the players don't follow you any more," he explained. "Now is a moment with Ferran and my chairman to talk and after that we will see what happens … taking nothing for granted. Next season we will be back, City will be back."
Congratulating Arsenal
Instead of dwelling on his own future, Guardiola chose to congratulate Arsenal, managed by his former assistant Mikel Arteta. "We were close. On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League. They deserve it," he said.
He attributed his team's shortcomings to a heavy schedule: "I would have loved to arrive at the last moment but today the fatigue was there." Erling Haaland's late equalizer was not enough to prevent Arsenal from securing their first title in 22 years. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose in the last moment because the opponents are really good, really tough," Guardiola remarked.
Bernardo Silva's Comments
Bernardo Silva, who has confirmed his own departure for the summer, commented on Guardiola's situation: "I honestly don't know about it. That's his decision, that's his announcement to make if he stays or if he goes. That's not on me."
