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.
This story is from the June 14, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the June 14, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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