Pep Guardiola has insisted that he will decide when his time at Manchester City comes to an end, amid reports that the club have held talks with Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea and Maresca went their separate ways on Thursday, with one explanation being that the Italian coach had made them aware of conversations with people connected to City.
City boss Guardiola has few months left on his contract, and there has been speculation that this could be his last season, with Maresca mentioned as a possible replacement.
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However, the Spaniard responded firmly, joking that his wages are simply too high for anyone else to determine when his long spell at the Etihad should finish.
‘You want to fire me?’ said Guardiola when questioned about Maresca’s links with City and suggestions he could depart in the summer. ‘My salary is so high, so I have one more year. So…’
‘Oh my god,’ the City manager continued. ‘I have a contract, I’ve said it a thousand million times. I know you are bored of me, 10 years here. You want me to leave? Yeah, I’m sure of that.
‘You know, I will leave one day. I promise. I promise. But I have a contract. I’m happy, I want to fight with my team. The hierarchy respect me. They proved it last season with what happened in this club, that we didn’t win one game in two, three months. They support me.
‘So what can I do? I want to try and do it (next season), but maybe one day, I don’t know. But I have one more year (on my) contract. I like to be here, so we will see. We will see. I’ve said it a thousand million times about that.’
Guardiola then smiled and joked: ‘But my credibility is zero, right?’
City welcome Chelsea on Sunday and, speaking about Maresca’s departure, Guardiola added: ‘Only I can say that Chelsea, I think from my point of view, lose an incredible, incredible manager. Incredible person. But it’s a decision from the hierarchy from Chelsea, so (I have) nothing to say.’
He also played down reports of any discussions between Maresca and City, while confirming he plans to contact his friend soon.
‘No idea,’ Guardiola said when pushed on the matter. ‘You have, I’m pretty sure, more info than me. It’s just a rumour. So, I’m sorry, I’m not going to answer that.’
