Pep Guardiola appeared to rule out signing a new deal at Manchester City during the forthcoming international break by insisting he had no plans to meet with the club’s owners in Abu Dhabi.
Guardiola has agreed contract extensions in the month of November in previous years but said “no” when asked if he intended to fly to the Gulf over the next fortnight.
The Catalan is out of contract at the end of the season and has not yet indicated whether he will extend his eight-year stay at the Etihad.
His primary concern ahead of this weekend’s trip to Brighton is avoiding the first four-game losing streak of his illustrious managerial career.
Defeats to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Sporting CP have thrown City off course and Guardiola is eager to get his side back on track as they chase a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
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Pep hoping to avoid unwanted record
Asked about the possibility of losing four straight games, he said: “Hopefully it’s not the case. For 20 minutes against Fulham, we were not good, the team is not good. Against Bournemouth, the team was not good. The rest of the games, we were good.
“We are not used to playing three games in three different competitions [in a row], but it’s football. It’s happened.
“We know the reasons why we have struggled, but we’re looking forward to that game and the international break.
“After that, a few players will come back better and recovered… little problems that every player has, we will solve it. I hope so.”
City have been hit by injuries to several key players and Guardiola admitted the situation had not improved following the midweek game in Portugal.
PEP 💬 No [Jack Grealish is not fit to play for us tomorrow]. pic.twitter.com/5MjKgyEkQy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 8, 2024
They have proved what they are capable of – Guardiola
He is steadfast in his belief that things will improve, though, and said he had not learned anything during this lean spell he did not already know about his players.
“Absolutely nothing because I have known them for nine years,” he said.
“They have proved many times what they are capable of. No change of opinion.
“It sometimes happens, I have to understand it.”
Pep outlines admiration for Hurzeler
The weekend clash on the south coast will be another stiff examination of City’s credentials with Guardiola impressed by the job Brighton’s new boss Fabian Hurzeler has done at the Amex Stadium.
He said: ”I’m really impressed with the way they play. Brighton made a lot of signings this season and he’s doing an incredible job.
“Personality, rhythm. The way they played the last two games against Liverpool was outstanding. The result was not good, but they played really good.
“Always they have been tough; away or home, it doesn’t matter. This will be no exception.”
