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Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Manchester City will ask Pep Guardiola for a final decision on his future by Christmas, a source has told ESPN.
Guardiola has one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
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City would like the 53-year-old to commit to a new deal after leading an unprecedented era of success with 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, since arriving in 2016. But Guardiola’s strong relationship with director of football Txiki Begiristain means he will be given the freedom to decide how and when he leaves.
He is leaning towards leaving City after the new expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, and a source has told ESPN that the club would like a final decision by Christmas.
A source has told ESPN that City are conscious of how big a task it will be to replace Guardiola and want as much time as possible to come up with a succession plan and assess potential replacements.
Guardiola has already hinted that his time at City is coming to an end. Following the 3-1 win over West Ham which earned a record fourth successive title, he admitted he is “closer to leaving than staying.“
He also said he is “tired” and suggested he is lacking motivation to prepare for another season in charge.
City expect Guardiola to honour the final year of his contract but, according to a source, accept that he could leave in 2025.
After spending four years in charge at Barcelona and three years at Bayern Munich, Guardiola has already spent longer than he expected in charge at the Etihad. A source has told ESPN that Guardiola is unlikely to take another job in club management but he does hold an ambition to lead a national team at a major tournament.
The next World Cup is scheduled to take place in the United States in 2026. Guardiola last entered the final year of his City contract in the summer of 2022. He ended up agreeing a new two-year deal on a trip to Abu Dhabi during the break for the World Cup in Qatar.
