Pep Guardiola says he could stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the season.
Manager Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the coming campaign.
In the aftermath of City’s historic fourth successive Premier League title success, Guardiola raised doubts over his own future when he said he was “closer to leaving than staying”.
The Spaniard has been in charge of City for eight seasons and has won the league on six occasions, part of an overall 17-trophy haul.
Speaking to reporters in New York ahead of City’s pre-season encounter with AC Milan at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Guardiola said nothing had been decided.
“I didn’t say I was leaving,” he said.
“Nine years at the same club is an eternity. I don’t rule out extending the contract. I want to be sure it is the right decision for the club and the players.
“When I decide, I will talk with my CEO and sporting director. But I want to start the season, and look at how everything is going and how connected we are. After, we will see.”
Guardiola said he hopes to be in charge for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, to be held in the United States next summer, but was not sure about the tournament itself, which is at the centre of a dispute between world governing body Fifa and the major players’ unions.
City could end up playing 75 matches across the season, starting with the Community Shield with Manchester United at Wembley on 10 August and potentially ending in the Club World Cup final in the United States on 13 July.
