Pep Guardiola insisted that there have been no talks held on his Manchester City future amid fears the Catalan could quit next summer.
Reports emerged that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is on City’s shortlist to become the next manager, claiming Guardiola was ready to call time on his career at the Etihad Stadium.
The 54-year-old batted away suggestions that the situation is coming to head before City host West Ham on Saturday.
‘There are no discussions – end of the subject,’ Guardiola said. ‘I will not be eternally here, I’ve said before I will not be here forever. None of us will be forever in this world but there are no discussions.
‘What is going to happen will happen and the club has to be prepared for everything – for the players and the CEOs. The club has to be prepared but that subject is not on the table right now.
‘I’m here. Who knows what’s going to happen but whether I have 10 years on my contract or six months, football changes a lot.
Pep Guardiola insisted that there have been no talks held on his Manchester City future amid fears the Catalan could quit next summer and reports Enzo Maresca could replace him
‘Now I’m focused on West Ham and go for a few days with my dad and that’s all, come back for Nottingham and Sunderland and Brighton and Chelsea.’
Guardiola added: ‘The last three or four years every time during a certain period someone asks me that question. Sooner or later, when I’m 75 or 76, I will quit Manchester City.
‘I understand the question when I have the end of a contract (coming) but I have 18 months left and I am so delighted and happy and excited about the development of the team and being there. That is all I can say.
‘That question happens every single season at a certain point and I’m OK. The club and I are incredibly connected in terms of the decisions we have to take and when it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.’
City can go top of the Premier League for a few hours at least with a win over West Ham. They go into it with Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki both in a rich vein of form and the City boss admitted that he doesn’t like dishing out too much praise.
The midfielders have been lightly criticised by Guardiola for losing possession and defensive work after the last two victories, against Crystal Palace and over Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
‘Rayan has been really good, especially for the personality,’ Guardiola said. ‘He plays like he plays in the street but I want to push him and not give too much compliments.
‘We are really satisfied because his impact in the final third and goals and assists is quite impressive and we cannot forget he is so young. He has the right mentality to be better and better but he has a few things to improve.’
