Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has brushed aside speculation about his future at the club, insisting that discussions about his departure are not taking place, even as his team prepares to face West Ham United in the Premier League.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola said questions about when he might leave City come up every season and should not be overplayed. While acknowledging that his time at the club will eventually end, the Spanish coach stressed that nothing has changed for now and that contract talks are not under consideration.
Guardiola said he remains focused on the task ahead, with City hosting West Ham on Saturday. A win could see City move above Arsenal at the top of the table, but the manager cautioned that his side is still short of the level needed to secure the league title.
Despite trailing the leaders by just two points, Guardiola admitted that City still have areas to improve, even though he praised the squad’s mentality and commitment. He said results have been positive, but performances must reach a higher standard if the team is to lift the trophy.
Recent reports linking Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca with a future role at City were also played down, with Guardiola making clear that he is not concerned about succession talk at this stage.
City’s recent upturn in form has been helped by strong performances from Rayan Cherki, who joined from Lyon in the summer. The 22-year-old midfielder scored in City’s League Cup win over Brentford and has impressed fans with his flair and creativity. Guardiola praised Cherki’s natural talent but said the young Frenchman still has room to grow.
The City boss also highlighted the importance of Nico Gonzalez, who has stepped up amid injuries to key midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic, saying the team’s current position would not have been possible without his contribution.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, while West Ham head into the clash struggling near the bottom of the table in 18th place.
