Exclusive: Pep Guardiola makes 'immediate' Man City exit decision

Pep Guardiola has cast further doubt over his future at Manchester City with his latest comments about a future away from management.

Following those press conference comments, Guardiola’s side were beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid, all but ending their latest Champions League adventure.

That has led to a growing feeling that he could be set to move on at the end of the season, rather than in 2027 when his contract at the Etihad expires.

However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, City’s progress in Europe is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the boss’ future.

Guardiola is unlikely to be keen to bow out with an early Champions League exit, but the ongoing uncertainty could force Man City to look for a new manager.

Pep Guardiola update as Man City smashed by Real Madrid

Football Insider revealed last month that Guardiola will make a decision about his future at the end of the season and will leave the club on his own term.

Reports have suggested the 55-year-old is growing tired of his position at Man City following last season’s trophyless campaign and potentially another on the horizon.

That possibility has just edged closer after their heavy Champions League defeat, but that game is unlikely to make a direct impact on his future.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Yeah, I don’t think the defeat to Real Madrid and the potential early exit from the Champions League will have any immediate influence on Guardiola’s future.

“It does seem a lot of talk that he could end up leaving at the end of the season, but obviously he won’t want to bow out with an early Champions League exit.

“I don’t think an early exit in the Champions League will mean that he makes any decision on his future.

“I think if he’s going to make that decision, he probably has made it already and maybe planning for that to happen.

“I don’t think results between now and the end of the season will make any major influence on that decision.”

Who could be the next Man City manager?

Amid the ongoing speculation that Guardiola could walk away at the end of the season, plans are being put in place to identify their next manager.

A number of high-profile bosses have been linked with the job, and City are aware of how tough an ask it will be to replace somebody like Guardiola.

As a result, Football Insider revealed Man City could look to Luis Enrique to become their next manager if they can lure him away from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Spaniard was appointed as the Barcelona manager in 2014, shortly after Guardiola’s exit, and has gone on to win 18 major trophies across spells at Barca and PSG.

His contract at the French club is set to expire in 2027, and while Le Parisiens remain keen to tie him down, he could be tempted to move to the Premier League.

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