Pep Guardiola addresses Man City future and speculation over England approach | football

Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the season and the 53-year-old is yet to agree a new deal with the Premier League champions.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager will also lose a key ally behind the scenes at City in Txiki Begiristain, the club’s director of football, as he steps down at the end of the current campaign.

Speculation has increased in the week when goalkeeper Ederson suggested the club had already lined up Guardiola’s replacement.

Sports coach Ruben Amorim has been linked with the job, but Guardiola has insisted he has not yet made his final decision on whether to extend his stay at the Etihad beyond this summer.

‘I have to decide. I have not made any decision, when I do I will inform you’, said the Spaniard, who has been at City for nine years. ‘There is no news, I have nothing to add. My concern is only for the wolves.

“The club have never told me (when they want a decision on my future). I’m pretty sure the club has options when Pep leaves. Sooner or later it will happen and they have to prepare. It won’t be a surprise .

“I want to be really convinced that it’s the best thing for the club. I’m not going to delay any action thinking it’s going to be a problem for the club. They understand the problems I’m going to have.

“If the club asks me for an opinion (on my successor) I will give them an opinion. But it’s not a decision for me. It has to be the club.

The Spaniard threw his weight behind the German’s appointment but repeatedly dodged questions about whether he was approached for the role.

“Thomas Tuchel is the manager, I have to congratulate him and the FA. It’s a great job, after nine years here I wish him the best,” he said.

Pressed on whether he was approached, Guardiola replied: “I’m the manager of Man City, forget that. The rest is not important.

City will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season away to Wolves on Sunday, but will likely do so without Kevin de Bruyne and Nathan Ake, who are expected to be unavailable.

De Bruyne has missed the last five games with a groin injury, while Ake has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in September while on international duty.

‘I don’t think so. They are not ready,” Guardiola said when asked about the duo.

‘They are training, they are in the last part (of recovery). Yesterday Nathan was training with the team so maybe he can travel, but he’s not ready to start.

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