Stacy Boit,
Manchester City’s world fell apart in the space of 24 hours as they surrendered the Premier League title – following on from the bombshell news of manager Pep Guardiola’s impending departure.
The headlines every City fan feared about the Spaniard’s future broke on Monday night, before their side’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday meant Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to become champions with a four-point advantage and one game left.
While Guardiola insists he will make his decision after talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the expectation is for him to end his trophy-laden, decade-long tenure with the club, with Enzo Maresca poised to be his successor.
Guardiola, whose side host Aston Villa on Sunday in their final game, told Sky Sports: “I could say that I have one more year of contract and with the conversations I have had for many years, always from my experience when you announce – whatever you announce – during the competition, [it] is a bad, bad result.
“And like you understand, the first person I have to talk to is my chairman because we both decided when we finish the season we will sit and we will talk. It is as simple as that and after we will take the decision.”
The 55-year-old, who has led City to Carabao Cup and FA Cup success this season, added: “Listen, I have one more year of contract.
“I will not tell you [a decision] here because I have to talk with my chairman, with my players, with my staff because when we play for the FA Cup, qualification for the Champions League, the Premier League it’s just one thing in my mind and focus: Try to bring the team to the highest point and it’s what we have done.”
Arsenal have been Premier League pacesetters for much of the campaign and Guardiola’s protégé, and former City assistant, Mikel Arteta finally delivered their first title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ in 2004.
They also face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final on 30 May and a gracious Guardiola said: “On behalf of Man City, congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel and all the backroom staff on the Premier League that they deserve.
“He put a lot of effort and work. Congratulations to him.”
