‘Is it time to step away?’ Pep Guardiola tipped to consider quitting Man City despite signing new contract

Speaking on talkSPORT's Weekend Sports Breakfast, Pearce said he "could see" Guardiola stepping down as City manager after over eight years at the helm. Despite the remarkable success the Catalan coach has enjoyed in England — including four successive Premier League titles and a first Champions League victory for City — he is facing increasing pressure and certain pundits are suggesting his job may end up being at risk.

Pearce said: "It's employment, it's a career. You've got to get happiness within the workplace and he might look to one or two of his close family members who may say, 'Pep, come on now, you're not the man you once were, is it time to step away from it?' Everyone in their own lives suffers pressure. Pressure to pay mortgages, pressure outside, you name it there's a multitude of pressures. In football, you're carrying the hopes and dreams of thousands of people and staff members."

Pearce's comments come just a couple of days after Guardiola himself conceded that he will be in danger of being sacked if the team's disastrous recent form continues. "They could sack me!" he admitted in the run-up to a crucial match this afternoon against Manchester United at the Etihad.

A win for Guardiola against City's bitter rivals would do a lot to ease fans' concerns regarding recent results. The prospect of the legendary manager — by far the most successful in the club's history — being sacked by City is still hard to imagine, but if Ruben Amorim outfoxes his opponent again, it might start to look more likely. A huge amount rests on this particular Manchester derby, and all the pressure is on the home side.