Pep Guardiola drops hint on Man City future after acknowledging “doubts”

Pep Guardiola drops hint on Man City future after acknowledging “doubts”

Pep Guardiola has given his strongest suggestion yet that he will dedicate his future to Manchester City.

Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was elated after Erling Haaland’s injury-time penalty propelled the Premier League champions to the top spot.

As a result of Joao Cancello’s red card, the City manager was ecstatic with his team’s ability to grind out a victory with 10 men for more than an hour.

Guardiola has always stated that he will remain at the Etihad as long as his players continue to believe in his tactics and fight for City.

And he said: “Your emotions as a manager, after seven years here, you always have doubts whether the people will still follow you or are tired.

“We have thousands of meetings and so many travels.

“But then you see today and you think ‘wow, still they want to do it and they are alive.

“It makes me so, so proud. Everyone was exceptional. We didn’t win the Premier League today, of course.

“But these moments, when you see the faces in the crowd, that make your job feel so good.”

During the World Cup, City is likely to speak with Guardiola about his future plans.

Haaland’s 23rd goal of the season vaulted his team back above Arsenal atop the Premier League table at least temporarily, after Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty-taking heroics capped an outstanding display.

Haaland, who entered the game shortly after the hour mark after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury, admitted: “I was really nervous. But I don’t care how it went in. It is about it going in.

“I was one week out – and finally I am back. What an amazing feeling.”

Pep Guardiola drops hint on Man City future after acknowledging “doubts”