NAMES IN FRAME One thing is sure for Blues - Pep won't stay forever

PEP Guardiola has been asked about his City future in so many press conferences and interviews in recent weeks, he appeared to be caught off guard by the most direct line of questioning yet.

-  JOE PRAV

"Can you just stay forever?" asked the City presenter before the club's open-top buses departed for their annual trip down Deansgate.

Guardiola simply laughed, unsure of what to say, before vowing to regain the FA Cup after losing it to United. He will jet off today for a deserved holiday, able to watch the European Championship with his feet up before returning to City to plot a fifth title in a row.

As Guardiola was getting his cigar out on the bus and letting off confetti cannons, a report emerged that the next season will be his last, with the Catalan said to be leaning towards leaving after nine seasons rather than extending into a tenth.

Guardiola says he will discuss his future during the coming season, with previous extensions signed around November time.

He admits that he is closer to leaving than staying another seven years, but also hasn't ruled out an extension with his public comments. Should he leave, though, attention will start to turn to potential replacements. City will know with good time when Guardiola makes his decision, allowing the chance to handpick the perfect successor with a few managers already being linked.