Guardiola dismisses exit speculation ahead of FA Cup final

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has firmly dismissed speculation regarding his immediate departure, insisting he has one year remaining on his contract. The comments were made during a pre-match news conference ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea, as the club continues to navigate uncertainty over his future after a decade at the helm.

Guardiola, 55, is preparing for his 24th trip to Wembley Stadium in a domestic cup semi-final or final. His side faces Chelsea in the FA Cup final, scheduled for Saturday with a 15:00 BST kick-off, aiming to secure a domestic double after claiming the Carabao Cup earlier in the season. When asked if the upcoming match could be his final appearance at the venue, Guardiola responded with a definitive "no way".

During the conference, the manager playfully referenced his contractual status, smiling as he noted he has "one more year" on his deal before making a swift exit from the room. While he continues to publicly express his enjoyment of working at the club, sources indicate tangible uncertainty over whether he will actually complete the final year of his agreement.

The club’s preference is for Guardiola to remain for as long as possible, yet planning for a post-Guardiola era is underway. Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is identified as a leading candidate to replace him, although no successor has been finalised. This follows previous reports from BBC Sport suggesting similar soundings regarding the manager’s potential exit.

City currently lie two points behind league leaders Arsenal with two Premier League fixtures remaining. Guardiola has lifted 19 trophies during his tenure, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, and two FA Cups. When asked if his reign constitutes greatness, he cited the 19 titles in 10 years as evidence, adding that the club should not wait until he leaves to appreciate his contributions.