By this time next year, Pep Guardiola’s contract with Manchester City will expire, and according to a recent report, the 2024–25 campaign will likely be his last at the Etihad Stadium.
The 53-year-old Guardiola’s current contract expires in the summer of 2019, thus a new agreement appears unlikely. That would mean that the 2024–25 campaign, when City is gunning for a record fifth straight Premier League title, would be his last under his leadership.
The question of who will succeed him now looms, and City is familiar with Gunners coach Arteta. The Catalan was a member of Guardiola’s coaching staff prior to accepting the position of head coach at Arsenal in December 2019. The Gunners extended an offer to him after he obtained a positive evaluation.
“I have a good feeling [he’ll succeed me]. Three months before to his departure, Guardiola said, “He will succeed.” “[Arteta becoming a manager] is something that will happen sooner or later.
“He is an extremely youthful manager. He has previously managed large teams and players. He has an amazing work ethic. He possesses a unique ability to assess situations and identify solutions. We discuss his beliefs and emotions frequently.””He’s so happy when we win but suffers when we don’t and that is why he tries to find a solution,” Guardiola continued, praising Arteta’s attitude.
“Aside from being an amazing manager who will achieve great success in the future, he is also a beautiful person being who has incredible beliefs about what it means to be united in the locker room. We watch football from a very close distance.”For City, who still want Guardiola to stay and would be willing to hand him a new long-term contract, that “close way” might be perfect. “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying [after next season],” he said in a statement earlier this month following his team’s record-breaking victory in their first-ever championship.
