Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not suffer the same fate as rivals Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era should he depart the Etihad next summer.
Guardiola is yet to decide whether to extend his contract into a 10th year but is believed to make a call on his future this winter.
City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain has already confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, with former Portugal international Hugo Viana coming in to replace him from Sporting Lisbon.
Under Guardiola, City have won 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, and Club World Cup.
PEP 💬 (On whether Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker will be fit for Southampton) No. Not yet. I don’t know [how long Kevin will be out for].
(On Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku) No [will not be ready]. pic.twitter.com/0bHNXsDaOe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 25, 2024
Ferguson left United as league champions in 2013 but they have failed to be serious title contenders since.
“I don’t know what happened [at United],” said Guardiola.
“I am pretty sure that [stability] is going to happen [here]. I know how it works. It will be a bad sign for the club if after just one person leaves everything is dragged down.
“It [stability] is going to happen, for sure. Maybe they [the executive] will make mistakes, but during the mistakes they will solve it. Immediately, that is for sure. The guys know exactly what they have to do.
“When it is going bad they will find the solutions immediately. They will be patient, calm and know what they have to do. I don’t have doubts about that.
“With Txiki for 12 years and in my case, it is normal that it looks like we cannot leave, but of course we can move on. Life moves on. The Earth continues around.”
City host Premier League strugglers Southampton on Saturday but will be without Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku who all remain sidelined through injury.
Guardiola named just 5 outfield players on the bench for the 5-0 win over Sparta Prague in midweek, but was confident the players available will give everything for the shirt.
A Saturday against the Saints 💪#ManCity pic.twitter.com/6Hm2pG4tS7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 26, 2024
The City boss was particularly pleased to see Phil Foden back on the scoresheet against the Czech side and says the England man will soon be back to his best.
Guardiola added: “I’m not concerned at all about how far it is [a return to top form] because I know when he is fine, he will get it. He’s a natural talent, he will get it.
“The first goal against Sparta Prague, finally with his incredible talent, he solved the game for himself.
“But in a career when you have many, many years, and Phil already has many years, you have these bumps, ups and downs a little bit.
“They are human beings. Be patient. Let them feel that this type of player in these types of moments, that we are there and everything is going well.”
