He has left the door wide open to extend his contract into a tenth season, but has also made it clear he will walk away when the time is right.
With the Club World Cup capping off next season and the Premier League charges still overhanging City's future, Guardiola may opt to walk away and take a break next summer after honouring his deal.
Reports emerging midway through City's trophy parade last month suggested the expectation is that Guardiola will indeed leave the Etihad in 12 months' time and the club have always made clear the decision will be up to the Catalan who has done so much in catapulting City into Europe's elite.
So what would a new manager have to contend with if they were given the unenviable task of succeeding City's greatest ever manager?
For a start, the fallout of the club's 115 Premier League charges for alleged rule breaks will dominate the landscape of whoever is in charge next summer. A decision on the charges is reportedly expected in 2025 and if the verdict goes against the Blues it could have seismic repercussions.
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REDS ON THE BALL FOR UPCOMING CUP GAMES
BRITISH football brand Mitre, the official ball supplier of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women's FA Cup, has unveiled limited-edition winners' balls for the first time.
Untouchable no more... everyone now has a price
UNITED no longer regard any squad member as 'untouchable' as they prepare for yet another rebuild.
MAINOO 'WANTS TO STAY AT HIS BOYHOOD CLUB'
UNITED youngster Kobbie Mainoo wants to stay at his boyhood club after reports linking him with a transfer away.
Let's be Frank, United are told it's a no-go for target Mbeumo
UNITED have been sent a clear Bryan Mbeumo transfer message with a major opportunity on the horizon.
Klopp made late play to nab Sof from Erik's Reds
SOFYAN Amrabat could have made the move to rivals Liverpool over United in 2023 after his agent arranged a covert meeting with then-boss Jurgen Klopp.
Rash reality bites as wage and dip in form make striker difficult to move on
IF United thought that it would be easy to get Marcus Rashford off the books in January - or indeed in the summer - then they may well view things differently now.
How a chat with Pep defined City kid's career
IT'S an open conversation in the City academy that the end goal is almost impossible.
DUO SING PRAISES OF MANAGER'S 'INTENSITY'
LISANDRO Martinez has complimented Ruben Amorim for his 'intensity' and Rasmus Hojlund agrees that you can see the 'passion and fight' inside United's head coach.
AMAD'S NEW DEAL 'ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK'
UNITED could announce Amad's new contract by the end of this week. United head coach Ruben Amorim said on Friday the club is 'close' to finalising a renewal for Amad. Sources say there are no complications with the 22-year-old's new terms and that the club is preparing for the announcement.
Chef cooks his way on to award shortlist
A GREATER Manchester restaurant has been shortlisted for a prestigious food award.
