Pep Guardiola has refused to discuss his Manchester City future but said he feels part of the club “deep inside my bones” as the expiry of the revered manager’s contract approaches at the end of the season.
Six-time Premier League winner Guardiola made conflicting suggestions earlier this year about whether he will extend his stay at the club he joined to transformative effect in 2016.
A section of City fans are said to have designed a new banner for Saturday’s visit of Fulham (3pm BST), pleading ‘Pep Guardiola, we want you to stay’ in his native Catalan.
PEP 💬 (On whether Erling Haaland will be fit for tomorrow) Yes. Except Nathan, Kevin, Rodri and Oscar, the rest are ok. pic.twitter.com/Y33GLE27IB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 4, 2024
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Pep Guardiola contract
“What can I say? Thank you so much,” Guardiola replied when he was told about the mooted tribute to him. “I fell in love on the first day I was here. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. It cannot be different, from the way they have treated me.”
There has been speculation that Guardiola’s decision could hinge on the extent of a potential punishment for City relating to their charges for breaking financial fair play rules.
The case relates to the period between 2009 and 2018, when City won the league three times. They deny all of the charges.
An @ErlingHaaland hat-trick the last time Fulham visited the Etihad 🎩 pic.twitter.com/6lytwJtqRy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 4, 2024
“I’m part of this club deep inside my bones and the best way to defend the club is by winning games,” said the 53-year-old.
“My responsibility is to try to hold my players’ hands and win games. Some situations are expected, some are harder to deal with.”
Hat-trick: complete! ✅@YayaToure‘s stunning strike against Fulham back in 2014 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ck0Q9yOq3f
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 3, 2024
Haaland injury
After completing City’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle last Saturday despite receiving treatment on an ankle injury, Erling Haaland scored in the Cityzens’ 4-0 win at Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday before being replaced after 60 minutes.
Guardiola said the Premier League top scorer is fit to play but confirmed that defender Nathan Ake remains out alongside Kevin De Bruyne, whose fellow midfielders, Oscar Bobb and Rodri, are long-term absentees.
The reigning champions dropped points for the second consecutive game against the Magpies and are a point behind Liverpool after six games of the Premier League season.
Fulham arrive on a two-match winning run as part of a five-game unbeaten league sequence but have lost their last 16 against City in all competitions.
