What does the future hold for Pep at Etihad?

GUARDIOLA STILL TO DECIDE ON DEAL EXTENSION

- JOE BRAY

PEP Guardiola says he won't visit Abu Dhabi this week, and feels in no rush to sign a new contract at City.

Yet in 2022 he used the World Cup break in November to visit Sheikh Mansour and sign a new deal and it was the November international break in 2020 when he penned his first contract extension.

Naturally, that has led to speculation that he could do the same this year with seven months now left on his deal. But as Guardiola goes quiet on his future plans, where does he stand, and where do City stand?

I WHAT HAS GUARDIOLA SAID?

Guardiola left things dangling fairly negatively during last summer's title celebrations. "I am closer to leaving than staying," he said, referring to his eight-year stint until that point.

On tour, he put the record straight, saying he didn't mean he was leaving at the end of the season and would 'love' to stay. "If you love what you do, why stop?" was his message.

Still, he clarified his 'closer to leaving' comments by reminding fans that he won't be manager for another eight years. "Nine years today in the same club is an eternity, I want to be sure it's the right decision. Not just for me, for the club, for the players."

The general feeling before the summer was that Guardiola would call it a day in June. The winds have shifted a little to leave the possibility of an extension open, but nobody truly knows what he is thinking.

Most recently, he said: "I said many times, I won't talk about it. When it happens, will happen. We're in touch regularly. Happens always for the benefit of the club."