Pep Guardiola has fired a warning shot at Manchester City’s rivals by insisting his team will only hit their full stride next season—dropping the strongest hint yet that he intends to see out his contract.
‘We Are Not Complete’: Guardiola Warns Rivals City’s Best Is Yet to Come
The Catalan manager currently has a deal at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. However, recent speculation suggested he might walk away at the end of this campaign after a decade in charge.
Guardiola has now moved to silence those rumors by focusing on the long-term project at the club.
Despite undergoing a significant squad revamp over the last year, City remain in the thick of the Premier League title race.
They are also still fighting on three other fronts: the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.
Yet, Guardiola insists this current group is not the finished article. He believes the real fireworks will begin next season.
“We are not a complete team to compete, to be solid,” Guardiola admitted.
“That is the reality. We are in the process of many changes.”
He urged his players to learn quickly to ensure they fight for silverware come May, but his eyes are firmly fixed on the future.
“If we can learn quicker, and still nothing is lost, we can arrive in the last month with the chances.
But I’m pretty sure next season will be better. Next season will be better. I don’t have doubts about that.”
City face Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Saturday—their fifth meeting with the Magpies this season.
After that grueling clash at St James’ Park, Guardiola has just three days to prepare his squad for a massive Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Spanish giants received a boost when their domestic game against Celta Vigo was moved to Friday night, giving them an extra 24 hours of rest.
Guardiola, however, has given up expecting favors from English schedulers.
“For here in England, it is more important what happened in the Carabao Cup than the Champions League games for the English teams,” the City boss said bluntly.
“It happened since day one. The broadcasters decide because they pay a lot of money.”
