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Pep Guardiola admits Man City exit could be months away despite signing new deal.
Pep Guardiola says it took him only two hours to agree a new two-year deal with Manchester City… but worries he might not last another two months if his champions do not get their act together.
Guardiola has committed himself to the Etihad until the summer of 2027 but his contract extension has been sorted during one of the worst runs in his City career.
Tottenham Hotspur arrive at the Etihad on Saturday evening, looking to inflict a FIFTH straight defeat on City in all competitions, and a THIRD in the Premier League.
“In just two hours, we did it,” smiled Guardiola when asked about how long it took to thrash out his latest agreement. “And I would like to stay two more years but I know if the results are good I will not stay for two more years.
“If we don’t perform, our fans and chairman will ask what is going on and you have to change. Everyone is under pressure. I have the contract but maybe in a month, I am not here. I deserve to extend my contract but we have to do it again and if not, the club have to find a solution.”
City have only beaten City in three of their last ten meetings but Guardiola had good news on quite a few of the injuries that have plagued his team’s start to the season.
“I don’t know if some players can play from the beginning or play 90 minutes but to see their faces in the training sessions is a boost for us. John (Stones) trained good, Manu (Akanji) trained good and Nathan (Ace) is coming back to training. So we didn’t have any centre-backs and now we have three,” said Guardiola, who will also have Jack Grealish available after the attacker reported for international duty but was sent home after being assessed by England doctors.
Guardiola is desperate to help City end their run of four straight defeats
Guardiola had been mystified as to why Grealish had even turned up at the England camp and explained: “I want the best for Jack and I want the best for Jack with the national team.
“The doctor said to me that he is not ready to play. I believe my doctors. Why? Because every single day they are here. I have a top relationship with England so it is not about that. I know they (England) want him but they have 200 players to select (from). And Jack was not fit. He has now trained for two days together and he has trained good.”
Guardiola did not have a problem with 34-year-old Kyle Walker starting both of England’s Nations League games – winning his 92nd and 93rd caps – and the City boss revealed his defender’s international ambition.
Pep Guardiola has been bullish on City’s losing run – pointing out that his side have won four Premier League titles in a row (
Giuseppe Maffia)
“Kyle has a dream to make 100 caps for the national team. Do I want to cancel this dream? Absolutely not. I would love that and I understand it. If Kyle is fit, go and defend your country – get 100 or 125 caps. But if you are not fit you cannot go.”
Guardiola has suffered a fresh injury blow with Mateo Kovacic being ruled out for up to a month after suffering an injury when on international duty.
Having been used as a replacement for Rodri, the Croatian midfielder’s absence is another setback for Guardiola but he was typically bullish when given another reminder of City’s bad run.
He said: “The difference is most teams are able to lose four games in different competitions but just one team has won four Premier Leagues in a row.”
(Mirrror)