Guardiola “happy” but uncertain about Man City future
“The reality is I’m closer to leaving than to staying,” Guardiola told Sky Sports in a post-match interview after lifting the Premier League trophy.
“It’s eight years, soon to be nine. Right now, I feel I want to stay next season. We’ve talked with the club, and we’ll have time to discuss it further next season because I need to see if the players still follow me, still follow us.
“I want to stay next season. During the season, we’ll talk. But after eight, nine years…”
Later in his post-match press conference, Guardiola hinted that he is running out of new challenges at Man City, having already won every major trophy in English football.
“I had that feeling last season [after we won the treble],” said the Catalan coach. “We were in Istanbul (after winning the Champions League) and I thought, ‘It’s over. What am I doing here? There’s nothing left.’ But I have a contract. I am here, and I still enjoy some moments—sometimes I’m tired, but some moments I love.”
Guardiola aiming for another English football record
“And after a few days, we started playing well, winning games, with different players, and we began to think about how no one has ever won four in a row. Why not try it?
“Now, I feel like it’s done. What’s next? I don’t know at the moment. Well, I know it’s the FA Cup. Gary Lineker told me that no team in history has won back-to-back Premier Leagues and FA Cups. So, it’s [against] our rivals, and I want my players to enjoy it for two or three days before we prepare for the final.
“As for next season, right now, I can’t say what the motivation will be. It can be difficult to find motivation when you’ve already achieved so much.
“But I know that the players and I will get there and think, why shouldn’t we win today? Why not? Why shouldn’t we work as hard as possible to achieve our goals? And I know we will. I know.”
Guardiola will lead his Man City side in their final game of the 2023-24 season against rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium next Saturday.
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