Pep Guardiola brutally told he hasn’t ‘got it in him’ to win another Premier League title as ex-Man City star claims new contract was to ‘shut people up’

After much speculation regarding his future, Catalan coach Guardiola agreed an extension at Manchester City last season that is due to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. He did, however, fail to land major silverware in the 2024-25 campaign.

Questions have been asked, with City dropping points early on this term, of whether Guardiola is struggling to get his message across and maintain the highest of standards after nine years in Manchester. It may be that he bows out after completing a decade of loyal service.

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Quizzed on whether Guardiola could walk away next summer, former City midfielder Dietmar Hamann - speaking in association with Grosvenor Casino - told GOAL: “Yeah. But I said that last year and I’m surprised he’s still there now, because everything comes to an end.

“They’ve changed in the last couple of years, they’ve brought quite a few players in and there’s some players who’ve been there for a few years. You need to galvanise them and light a fire within them, the team, the fans. He’s been there such a long time and I’m just not sure he’s still got it in him.

“I said in the summer I’d be surprised if he wins another big title. I don’t think he will. I don’t think he wins the Premier League or the Champions League. There’s always a chance to win five or six games and win a League Cup or an FA Cup. The big two trophies, I can’t see him winning.

“I think his contract was extended last year just to smooth things down, to keep people quiet, probably to shut people up who said, ‘It’s about time for him to go’. I don’t think they will sack him, but I’d be surprised if he’s still there in two years’ time.”

Having broken all kinds of records across stints with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, Hamann added when asked if Guardiola’s next role could see him move into international management: “It’s probably the most likely. I can’t see him working for another club in England. Is he going to come back to Germany? Bayern Munich’s probably the only one, I can’t really see that.

“I think international football, as he’s in his early-to-mid 50s now, is probably the port of call. But I think he’ll have a break first. If you do that job for 10 years, it’s not only the pressure of having success, it’s also the rest that comes with it. Media stuff you have to do. It’s a 24/7 job and you can very rarely switch off.

“[Jurgen] Klopp after eight or nine years said, ‘I need a break now’. He’s been doing it longer than him. He’s probably even more intense than Klopp. So, he’ll probably have a break, and then I’m sure there are a lot of countries who wouldn’t mind his services.”

Guardiola has offered no indication that he is mulling over his options, but he is the most driven of characters and will have no issue with falling on his sword if it becomes apparent that - after more big spending - he is no longer the man to bring the best out of City’s expensively-assembled cast of superstars.