There was one obvious question missing from Pep Guardiola’s 30-minute sitdown with Manchester City media this week: Are you going to sign a new contract?
Of course, given this was a club interview, the chances of such a question getting asked were extremely slim if there was nothing to report, although there was one answer that will give City fans hope that Guardiola has a vision for the club past next summer, when his current deal expires.
After running through the successes in his six years at City so far, Guardiola was asked if he has fallen in love with the club, with his answer outlining what he would need if he was to stay at the Etihad beyond 2023.
“I’ve been since the day one, incredibly comfortable, for all the departments in the club and for the hierarchy of course, but especially working with these players,” he said.
“What can I say for the people on the street, in the stadium, how they take care of me and my family. That’s why I’m in the seventh season here. I didn’t expect it when we arrived.”
“It is because I’m comfortable and importantly because we won a lot, and when you win a lot, that helps to continue, because this club right now, I’m sorry for the future, the standards are there, and all of us, we have to fight to maintain it there.”
Guardiola also outlined his target for the coming season – one that would also apply to the following season if he was still in charge.
“People in our fans live for the memories. So nice, we enjoy Aston Villa, but this season our fans want more, they’re hungry to see good football games and enjoy them,” he explained.
“I’m pretty sure the fans want to win the Premier League, but they want to go every weekend, to the Etihad Stadium, our fans are exceptional home or away. They want to see their team playing good, enjoying, represent our club as best as possible. This is our target.”
And when Guardiola spoke about his impact on the current squad and their tactics, he naturally pointed to the support he has from above as he deflected responsibility for City’s successes.
He said: “The work from Txiki [Begiristain], the financial aspects from Ferran [Soriano], the control from all the club, they help us – not just me – to have the team that we have.”
So it’s clear that Guardiola is happy with his set-up at City on and off the pitch, as well as with his personal life. And as long as there is still a desire to fight for trophies at all levels of the club, he will remain hungry to win more titles. He may not have made a decision on his future, yet, but it’s clear he already has everything he needs to make that call when the time is right.
