JAKARTA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is confident he will not be sacked to be replaced by Enzo Maresca. Guardiola also admitted that he was comfortable at Man City because he received a very high salary.
Guardiola is the most successful manager at Man City. Since his arrival at the Etihad in 2016, he has won all trophies. Including six times lifting the English Premier League trophy.
The former Barcelona coach also led Man City to the coveted trophy, the Champions League. Success continued with winning the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Man City has at least come out of the shadow of its city rival, Manchester United, who have dominated English football. Even MU not only stopped Liverpool's dominance but matched the club's achievements even though they still lost the Champions League trophy.
Only Guardiola's future remains uncertain, especially when his contract expires in 2026/2027. It's still one year at the Etihad, but he has been rumored to leave Man City.
Especially if The Cityzens are found guilty of a financial fair play violation that could result in a reduction of points to a lower class and the revocation of the title of champion.
However, until now Man City is still safe and is expected to escape the trap of punishment if they are not proven guilty. Moreover, the FA seems to be dragging out the decision for the club.
However, Guardiola is likely not to stay at the Etihad. Rumors that his contract was not renewed surfaced after Chelsea and Maresca agreed to end their cooperation.
Yes, Maresca who was once Guardiola's assistant at Man City has been rumored to replace the manager. There are rumors in the English media that Maresca left Chelsea after having talks with Man City.
The reason is that the team is having trouble again this season even though they are still in second place in the standings. However, the 0-0 draw against Sunderland makes Man City four points behind Arsenal.
Only Guardiola ensured that he would not leave Man City. He also believes that the club will not be dismissed even though Erling Haaland et al are having trouble chasing the Gunners. Moreover, the competition is still halfway and Man City has also managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the English League Cup.
"I'm still under contract. I've said this a thousand times. I've been here for 10 years. And one day I'll leave. But right now I still have a contract and I'll certainly fight for this team," Guardiola said as quoted by france24.
"The directors also have respect for me. This has been proven last season after what happened at this club. When we couldn't win any matches in two or three months. They still support me," said the former Bayern Munich coach again.
Only, Guardiola once revealed that he was almost fired when Man City experienced a decline last season. However, the plan was canceled even though Man City ended the season without winning any trophies.
Even in the FA Cup final, which was the last hope, Man City lost to Crystal Palace who were not favored.
"My contract is still one year. After all, I'm happy here," said Guardiola, who admitted that he was comfortable because he received a very high salary.
He receives a salary of 20 million pounds per year or around 449 billion rupiah which makes him the highest-paid manager in the English League.
It's natural because Guardiola brought Man City to great success. Just like Sir Alex Ferguson who for more than a decade was the most expensive manager when MU won various trophies every season.
"My salary is very high. And I still have a contract. So what else do I need to say," he said.
Interestingly, Guardiola will host Chelsea, who were left by Maresca at the Etihad, Monday, January 5, 2026 WIB. The guest team has not found a replacement for Maresca, so they called the coach from the U-21 team Calum MacFarlane.
It's just a small incident. MacFarlane was a little troubled because he hadn't got permission to enter the main team training base in Cobham. But he finally got into the training ground to prepare the team for Man City.
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