Manager prepares to add one more trophy to collection at the club ahead of Wembley final against Chelsea
Pep Guardiola has shrugged off speculation that this could be his last season at Manchester City and said he will at the very least honour the one year left on his contract.
Guardiola also expressed his love for Wembley ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea. The 55-year-old has graced the venue more than any other manager in England during his 10 years in Manchester.
The final will be Guardiola’s 24th appearance at Wembley with City and offers the chance to add another trophy to a remarkable spell that has already delivered 16 major honours and three community shields, totalling 19 trophies.
Victory against Chelsea would make it 20 trophies won under the Spaniard’s aegis at City.
There has been plenty of rumour that Guardiola could leave at the end of the season but the City manager insisted he is not treating the occasion as a farewell. His current contract runs until 2027.
“No way. No way. I have one year [left on my] contract,” Guardiola said. “I’m so disappointed that they don’t make a stand for Pep [at Wembley], the number of times I’ve been there – at least a lounge or a box. Maybe I go 24 more times.
“It’s been a special place, with Barcelona in 1992 and after against Manchester United with Barcelona for the second time and many times since I am here with semi-finals and finals. It’s really good to go to Wembley again.”
Guardiola also dismissed the idea that supporters or observers can’t wait for him to leave England.
“They don’t need to wait when I’m leaving, they know I’ve been fun,” Guardiola said. “I’ve been fucking fun. Nineteen titles, fighting for 20 in 10 years, it’s not bad, honestly.”
