PEP GUARDIOLA will hold talks with chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak in the next few months over a possible new deal at Manchester City.
And assuming the owners want him to extend his stay beyond summer 2021 – only one more thing will matter.
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It isn’t the two year Champions League ban handed down by UEFA last week which the club have vowed to fight.
Nor is it the infamous Manchester weather – as he gazed out on the heavy rain and slate grey sky over the CFA.
The only thing that will determine how long the 49-year-old hangs around in the North West is his happiness.
He said: “We are going to talk with Khaldoon at the end of the season or in the middle of next season and we will see.”
“I want to stay one more year and after that it depends. It also depends on the results.
“I said a month ago the future we’ll have been five seasons together, I don’t exclude it at all if the club is happy with me and our group to extend the contract.
“Now I want to be focused on these three months, we have to do game by game the best as possible, winning games and after we have time to think.
“We’ll see if we decide to stay three more years – or to stay for the time we are together.”
I want to stay one more year and after that it depends. It also depends on the results.”
Guardiola on his City future
Guardiola was asked what such a big decision will come down to. “My happiness.
“I’m looking for my happiness, that’s the only thing I’m looking for.
“When I move on always it’s because I am thinking I can be happier than the place that I was before. That is the only reason.
“But I feel I am with a club, we have got incredible owners and a good relationship so I think it will not be a problem to understand both sides.
“I’m working with exceptional players especially and I have the feeling that they follow us 100%. Knowing how it’s not easy working with us and with me, but I’m happy.
He added with a smile and a glance outside: “And for the weather. I have to take care of my skin, people say the sun is not good. Everyone is looking for that to be happy. “
It has been a testing week for Pep and everyone connected with City – who learned their fate from UEFA last Friday.
However the next eight days present the chance to put a smile back on a few faces with a crucial run of games for their season.
Today’s showdown for second place is followed by a trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League – and then there’s the Carabao Cup final at Wembley next Sunday.
Guardiola has told his players to put any fears about next season behind them and focus on the immediate future.
He said: “I’m completely sure the commitment of our players, it’s about what they’ve shown for many years, nothing changes.
“At the end of the season nobody knows what is going to happen, with calm we decide what we want.
“But for the next three months the commitment will be incredible.”
David Silva and Sterling (both hamstring) are unlikely to be risked. Sane (knee) is making good progress but is not quite ready yet.
