Manchester City set deadline for Pep Guardiola future decision | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have set a desired date by when they would like to understand Pep Guardiola’s future plans beyond this season.

The Catalan coach is firmly into the final 12 months of his existing Etihad Stadium contract, having last extended his terms with the reigning Premier League champions during the autumn of the club’s eventual Treble-winning campaign.

Manchester City will undoubtedly allow Guardiola the time and space to make a decision alongside input from his immediate family, but will simultaneously want him to extend his stay beyond the decade mark.

Integral to those hopes may be Txiki Begiristain, who could look to persuade Guardiola to stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond his own tenure, with the club’s sporting director heading for an exit at the conclusion of the season.

But while the likes of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano will remain patient, whilst also eyeing the necessary contractual terms to pitch to Guardiola, it is now understood that Manchester City have a date in mind by when they would like clarity.

That is according to the information of ESPN’s Rob Dawson, who report that while Manchester City obviously want Guardiola to stay at the club beyond this season, they would also like an indication about his plans for the future before the new year.

Pep Guardiola remaining at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of the season may also aid the transitional period that Manchester City are set to undergo in the boardroom, as they integrate a new sporting director into the role in 2025.

With Txiki Begiristain ending his own 13-year tenure next summer, it is now understood that Manchester City have reached an agreement over a deal that would see Sporting CP’s director of football in Hugo Viana take on the role from next year.

There is an understanding that Viana would take on a six-month bedding in process alongside Txiki Begiristain, before the 41-year-old then takes over the senior position ahead of the summer transfer window and beyond.