Pep hints at 10-year stay at The Etihad

PEP Guardiola could stay at City for another decade to turn the club into serial champions.

The former Barcelona boss is yet to extend his three-year deal at the Etihad that runs out in 2019, and made a point on Friday of shutting down reports that renewal talks were underway.

Having been in Spain for four years and Germany for three, Guardiola raised eyebrows last January when he told American news channel NBC that he was approaching the end of his career as a manager and added: “I will not be a trainer at 60 or 65.”

With City set to clinch at least two trophies this season, however, it appears the Catalan could go on longer in management than he had originally planned to create lasting success in Manchester.

Providing club bosses are willing, the City manager is open to the possibility of staying at the Etihad and doing something he has never before done in his coaching career.

“I have discovered that Manchester City is a much bigger club that people outside think it is,” he said. “It does not have a history behind it at the level of titles but it does have the desire to become winners. I do not rule out continuing to lead in 10 years. It will depend how I feel and if they want me.

“It also depends on my family. I am not alone. I cannot live without my family. I will not go somewhere alone.”