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Pep Guardiola shoots down talk of a summer City exit

If Pep Guardiola does have a break clause in his contract, the Manchester City manager doesn't want...


Pep Guardiola shoots down talk...

Sport

Pep Guardiola shoots down talk of a summer City exit


If Pep Guardiola does have a break clause in his contract, the Manchester City manager doesn't want to talk about it. 

The Catalan was asked at his Friday press conference whether or not he had such a clause that would allow him leave the Premier League champions in the summer.

Guardiola is in his fourth season with the club and signed an extension in May of 2018 that would see him remain as City boss until the summer of 2021.

As recently as the end of November, Guardiola had said he was "open" to signing a new contract with the club, adding, "I’m so comfortable working with this club".

The Daily Mail reported on Friday morning that Guardiola has a secret clause in that contract that would allow him to walk away from the Etihad in the summer.

City currently sit 14-points off Premier League leaders Liverpool following a relatively disappointing start to the season.

The Athletic reported this week that City were recruiting for a new addition to their medical staff, and had been telling potential candidates that this would be Guardiola's final season in charge.

But speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Arsenal, Guardiola suggested such claims were nonsense, "Not true. I spoke about a few weeks ago about my intentions for the club."

City have won each of their last five meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, but Guardiola is expecting something different on Sunday with Freddie Ljungberg at the helm, "We watched the previous games with Unai, the ones they played with Ljungberg and try to figure out what they’ll try to do, normally Arsenal have a typical style of play.

"They have quality between the lines, Arsenal away always a big test for any team."

Foden 

Following his goalscoring performance away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League in midweek, Guardiola sees Phil Foden playing a more prominent role as the season unfolds, "He has played 50 games and he is 19 years old," said the City boss

"He is in one of the top teams in Europe. We are delighted with him. He made a really good game and he will make incredible games in the future.

"I am delighted for him. He is more mature all the time, his teammates help him every session. He played 50 games, maybe not the 90 minutes each time, but he was involved.

"He has experienced tough moments.

"Last season against Tottenham we needed points and he started.

"When he doesn't start it’s because Kevin, David or Gundogan can play in that position. He plays more each season.

"One day, not far away, he will play every weekend. That is my feeling



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