Pep Guardiola future latest and inside Man City succession planning - energy, timing, candidates

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Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will part ways at some stage but the Blues boss is under contract until 2027 and seems reinvigorated by the challenge ahead

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City future has been the talk of the town in recent days following the speculation that he might leave the Etihad at the end of the season. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been touted as a potential replacement although that was played down by the man himself while Guardiola insisted he was happy and wanted to at least see through his contract which runs until 2027.

I have 18 months left and I am so delighted. That question happens every single season and I'm okay," said Guardiola on Friday. "There are no discussions - end of the subject. I will not be here eternal here, none of us will be forever in this world but there are no discussions. What is going to happen will happen and the club has to be prepared for everything. The club has to be prepared but that subject is not on the table right now.

The subject was discussed in detail on the latest Talking City podcast and here's what chief City writer Simon Bajkowski had to say.

"Even if he has made a decision there will be a small number of people who know what that decision is. He signed a new contract last November when everyone thought he was off.

"I think he said when he renewed that he was going to leave and then decided against it. He has never broken a contract but he has talked about wanting to manage internationally and maybe a team comes up after the World Cup.

"He could leave at the end of the season but it is not likely to be all decided by now. He either has to leave this season, see out his contract or extend his contract.

"Those are the options. One has been suggested and the man himself has suggested another one, or two. I am not sure we have learned anything new and if there is then there is a lot of people very close to the manager who are either very good actors or are in the dark.

"I think he has a lot more energy and drive and every single player you speak to says he has a lot more energy and drive and that he came back for the Club World Cup absolutely raring to go. That might be because he's off! And it is only an infinite time. But equally you are talking about a man who no-one has been able to second guess what he is doing.

"City are well enough run in the background that they will have options lined up at all times. They might well have Enzo Maresca lined up but they had Ange Postecoglou in their thinking for a while and how stupid would that be to suggest now.

"There will never be another Pep. Everything will be timing, you try and line everything up as much as you can. There will be a number of candidates.

"City are looking at other people but that is an ongoing process that they have done for 10 years. I don't think anyone predicted he would be here 10 years.

"Maybe he is going but there is lots of evidence otherwise and more importantly City have a manager who looks like he is staying for the rest of his contract, at least. This is the biggest rebuild so far and he seems very excited by it."