There’s been rumour after rumour that Pep Guardiola might leave Manchester City. At the end of next season. But a former City player, Paul Dickov, is pushing back hard. Paul believes Guardiola will stay around and that he still has a better tactical supremacy over Mikel Arteta. With all that in mind, the case for Pep Guardiola staying at Man City looks very strong. It is an abstract thought of people spreading this rumour.
Why People Are Talking About Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City Exit
After last season’s fall to defend the title against Liverpool, many people are thinking he will leave City now. But Guardiola signed a contract extension on 21st November 2024 that ties him to Manchester City until 2027. (The Guardian)
Pour water on all speculations. In an interview with GQ Hype, he admitted he plans to “stop” coaching when this stage at City ends.
He said he feels “unfinished business” — that the team is still improving, and he wants to build something more.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City Legacy
Since his arrival in 2016, City has become one of the most dominant sides English footballs has ever seen. Six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, and that long-awaited Champions League in 2022–23 define his era.
But the real hallmark of Guardiola’s reign is consistency: City have won more than 70% of their matches under him, a statistic that reflects their control and clarity on the pitch.
In the Premier League alone, they have averaged 89.3 points per season. Collecting 625 points during his tenure – a level unmatched by any rival.
His journey with Etihad has also seen a number of milestones, including the fastest club to reach 100 home league wins. He unsurprisingly earned the manager of the season for 2023–24.
Paul Dickov’s Take: Why the Exit Talk Might Be Wrong
Paul Dickov, a former City striker, strongly believes Guardiola is not going anywhere soon. He says Pep still looks energised and fully engaged.
According to Dickov, Guardiola is very invested in the current rebuild — bringing in new players, shaping them, and building a team that plays the way he wants.
Dickov praised the environment Guardiola has created: strong staff cohesion, motivated players, and a daily culture of “doing better”.
He argues this kind of positivity and long-term building is not consistent with a manager who is mentally checked out.
Why Guardiola Is Still a Step Ahead of Arteta — According to Critics Like Dickov
He believes the Liverpool match proved it again. He said Guardiola showed his edge in every phase. City looked sharper with the ball and smarter without it. Guardiola studied Liverpool’s midfield three and changed City’s shape to gain control.
Rayan Cherki stepped inside from the right. Nunes pushed high on the wings. Nico O’Reilly and Jeremy Doku drifted in from the left. City’s players kept moving off the line, and Liverpool could not understand how they kept getting outnumbered in the middle.
Dickov called the entire display a clear tactical masterclass. He also pushed back at claims that Guardiola sticks to one idea. Many people say Pep only wants City to play out from the back. But this season he has chosen a longer route at times. When the team needs it, he tells them to hit Haaland early and play from there.
Dickov said the players deserve praise because they follow the plan with total focus and energy. They went out, trusted the idea, and delivered a strong performance. For Dickov, the match showed one thing: Guardiola still has his sharp mind, his bold touch, and his unmatched feel for the game
Author’s Insight
The rumours that Pep is walking now feel like they’re coming from wishful thinking. More than an accurate reading of his mindset. This type of discussion arose after Liverpool’s win last season.
If Guardiola leaves at the end of 2026‑27, it will feel planned. But leaving earlier would feel sudden — and unlikely, given everything.
