Pep Guardiola Refuses To Confirm Manchester City Exit After 1-1 Draw At Bournemouth

Pep Guardiola refused to confirm whether he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth meant Arsenal could not be caught in the Premier League title race.

“Manchester City's world fell apart in the space of 24 hours as they surrendered the Premier League title - following on from the bombshell news of manager Pep Guardiola's impending departure”

BBC

Guardiola told reporters, “I could say I have one year of contract – the conversation we have had for many years,” and said the first person he has to talk to is chair Khaldoon al-Mubarak.

BBC

He added that he would also consult with chief executive Ferran Soriano, saying, “The first person I have to talk to is my chairman because we both decide – we will talk, it is simple as that and after that we will take the decision.”

The BBC said the bombshell news of Guardiola’s impending departure came before City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday, which ended Arsenal’s 22-year wait to become champions with a four-point advantage and one game left.

Guardiola also congratulated Arsenal, managed by his former assistant at City Mikel Arteta, saying, “On behalf of everyone at Manchester City, we congratulate Mikel and all the staff, players and fans on winning the Premier League.”

As speculation intensified, Guardiola spoke to Sky Sports ahead of City’s Premier League game at Bournemouth and was asked whether the rumours had affected him personally or his preparations.

Guardiola answered, “Zero, absolutely zero,” and the Manchester Evening News described it as a blunt response to the exit question after news broke that he would leave this summer.

Manchester Evening News

The Mirror also framed the reporting as a “media ban” after exit bombshell, saying reports claimed City had not allowed questions about Guardiola’s future before the clash against Bournemouth.

The BBC reported that Guardiola insisted he will make his decision after talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, while the expectation is for him to end his decade-long tenure with Enzo Maresca poised to be his successor.

ESPN said sources told it that “nothing has changed” when approached on Monday, while also noting Guardiola is under contract until 2027 and has a break clause allowing him to leave at the end of the current campaign.

The immediate stakes are tied to the Premier League finale schedule, with ESPN saying City must beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday or Arsenal will be crowned champions for the first time since 2004.

“Pep Guardiola gives blunt answer to Man City exit question - 'Zero' Pep Guardiola spoke in an interview for the first time since it was unofficially confirmed that he will leave Manchester City this summer Pep Guardiola spoke for the first time since news broke that he will leave Manchester City this season ahead of the Premier League game at Bournemouth”

Manchester Evening News

The Manchester Evening News said City travel to Bournemouth needing to win if they want to stay alive in the Premier League title race, and it reported Arsenal’s win over Burnley moved them five points clear at the top of the table.

Looking ahead, ESPN said former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is City’s top choice to replace Guardiola, and it also reported that City planned a celebration event to parade both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

The Guardian said Guardiola repeated his deflection used throughout the season and said he would not tell the media his decision because “I have to talk to my chairman, with my players and with my staff.”

In the BBC’s account of the 24 hours of pain for City, it said Guardiola’s world fell apart after the bombshell news and that all eyes were on him at Vitality Stadium for City’s must-win game, with the manager making a hasty exit down the tunnel as his players took the applause.