Erling Haaland drops telling hint on Pep Guardiola's future and Man City exit timeline

There has been speculation over the long-term future of Pep Guardiola at Man City, with the Spaniard under contract until 2027.

Erling Haaland has hinted that his time working with Pep Guardiola may be coming to an end sooner rather than later. The striker has said he has had an ‘amazing time’ working under the manager at Manchester City.

Guardiola’s current deal at the Etihad Stadium runs until 2027, having signed a two-year extension back in November 2024. But there have been reports that he could, in fact, leave the club this summer.

Amid doubts over Guardiola’s long-term future, City are reportedly sounding out potential replacements. The club have previously held talks with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca before his exit from Stamford Bridge. The Italian was assistant manager at City before leaving to join Leicester City in 2023.

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Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022. In his 184 appearances for the club in all competitions, he has scored 153 goals and has credited the people around him, while pinpointing Guardiola’s influence.

In an interview with TNT Sports, he said: "When I talk about good people around me, it's not just my friends but the people at the club. I'm lucky to be at a club with so many good people, and with Pep, who pushes us every single day.

"I'm lucky to have worked with Pep for three-and-a-half years. It's been an amazing time, as we all know, and no matter what happens in the future, we still need to keep pushing. I need to keep pushing myself, and others around me, to get better."

Haaland is contracted to City until 2034, having signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract with the club last summer. While that provides security for his future, his comments hint at greater uncertainty about his manager's future.

Along with Maresca, other names have also been linked as potential replacements for Guardiola at City. Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas are among the other names linked to the potential role.

But there is another ex-City player mentioned by Wayne Rooney as a candidate. "If Pep does go, they have to go and get [current Bayern Munich boss] Vincent Kompany,” he said.

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“He knows the club, he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.

"Pep will probably choose the next manager. If he is going, he will probably be part of the process to choose the next one.

"I just think in terms of Pep, he looks at himself as a bit of a teacher and he has been at the club for 10 years, he will want to leave the club in a good place."