2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (James Smailes)
The headline exit news at the minute may be Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Say, but it is the future of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola that will have ramifications for the Premier League. There have been rumours for some time that Guardiola could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, with an announcement before then similar to that of Jurgen Klopp last year ahead of his Liverpool exit. Guardiola is in his ninth season at Man City, with his eight complete seasons bringing an astonishing six league titles, two FA Cup triumphs, four League Cups, the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
It's been an all-conquering time in charge and one which has left many believing his exit will bring an end to City's dominance and make the top flight a much more competitive affair. The Spaniard set tongues wagging at the end of last season , after claiming a fourth straight Premier League title and making history as the first team to do so, by claiming he was "closer to leaving than staying" . He backtracked on those comments somewhat this summer when he said: "I know maybe I was not correct to say in the right moment, when we won the Premier League, but I'm saying that I've been eight years in Man City so I'm not being here for eight more years.
"That's why I'm closer to leaving than staying. But I didn't say I'm leaving. When I'm leaving, I will say I'm leaving.
But I didn't say it. I will not rule it out absolutely to extend the contract. I just want to be sure it's the right decision, not just for me, for the club.
" City are said to be in something of a crisis at the minute after losing four successive games in all competitions, but sit second in the Premier League and still having the Champions League and FA Cup to fight for, also. How an announcement ion Guardiola's future could impact things is not known, but could he really leave this summer? Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who is out with an ACL injury, has been speaking to Spanish media Cope , and has revealed something of a Guardiola bombshell. When asked if his future at the Etihad Stadium depend on Guardiola staying, he said: "You want to be surrounded by the best and there will be a before and after Pep.
When I signed, they told me that Guardiola was leaving but he is very ambitious. When he is gone, things will change but City will continue to be City." The fact Rodri was told five years ago that Guardiola was leaving, yet he remains at the club, will only serve to add to the confusion surrounding the manager's future.
The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and indeed Newcastle United will be watching closely in the months to come as potential disruption and a change at the top may come to a rival. With hopes of returning to the top four this season, Newcastle will look to keep pushing on and be in a position to capitalise on any drop off by a club that has set a new level of consistency..
