Man City give Guardiola contract deadline before 115 charges outcome

Pep Guardiola will have to decide on his future at Manchester City before the club learns the outcome of their 115 charges, reports mirror.co.uk.

The 53-year-old is entering what could be his final season with the reigning Premier League champions, as the contract extension he signed in 2022 is set to expire next year. It’s no secret that City would happily offer him a new deal.

City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, remains optimistic of persuading him to stay, just as he did two years ago. However, that hope will only extend so far and the four-in-a-row Premier League winners are looking for the Spaniard to commit himself to the club once more. And soon.

Guardiola must make his mind up by Christmas, according to Sky Sports. This would give them enough time to find his successor, much like Jurgen Klopp gave Liverpool plenty of time to fill their vacancy.

Yet, that means he will have to make his decision without knowing the outcome of the club’s court case against the Premier League, which isn’t expected to conclude this year. The 115 alleged breaches of the competition’s financial rules will finally be discussed in September, 18 months after the charges were made.

The submissions from both parties could last around 10 weeks before the independent commission then reflects upon all of the evidence. The ultimate decision may not be known until the 2024-25 campaign has concluded.

City have consistently categorically denied any wrongdoing and are confident that they will be cleared by the process. Guardiola has pledged his support to the club even if they were found to be in the wrong.

Earlier this year he confessed he felt he had nothing left to conquer after triumphing in the 2023 Champions League, opting to stay on due to pre-existing commitments for two more seasons.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying,” he admitted in May.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounding the England job won’t go away. The FA have bought themselves some time to hunt for Gareth Southgate’s replacement by appointing Lee Carsley on a temporary basis. Guardiola has expressed interest in managing a national side before ending his career.

“A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that,” he told ESPN Brazil when quizzed about what’s left for him to achieve.