Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future amid the club’s uncertain form this season
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will still be at the club next season, amid speculation over the Catalan coach’s future. Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad runs until the end of next season and he’s made clear he intends to see out the length of that contract.
The City boss put pen to paper on an extension in November 2024, amid expectations he could bring his time at the club to an end. There has been no suggestion from Guardiola that he will not see out his contract but Manchester City have explored potential successors for the 55-year-old, setting tongues wagging.
Enzo Maresca is said to have told Chelsea he had held talks over the possibility of joining Manchester City when Guardiola departs. But the Italian, who has enjoyed two coaching spells at City, may be forced to wait.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Rooney believes that despite some struggles this term, Guardiola still looks comfortable at City, and won’t bring a premature end to his time at the club.
“I don’t think so, he looks really relaxed there,” he said on Amazon Prime. “I think he’ll be here next season, yeah.
“It looks like he loves it here, he’s been very successful here, he’s brought so many happy memories here so i think he’ll be here next year. He’s a serial winner, he wants to win this game tonight.”
However, City failed to win a trophy last term, and their chance of success remains uncertain for 2025/26. The club take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final this weekend, searching for silverware and remain in the FA Cup, facing Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
Guardiola’s side were knocked out of Champions League contention by Real Madrid, failing to reach the last eight for the second time in as many seasons. The City boss had only been eliminated once before this stage in his first 15 campaigns as a manager in the competition.
Joe Hart is less certain than Rooney of Guardiola’s future, but the former goalkeeper told the Manchester Evening News that his former boss will be involved in any decision.
“He’s tied to that club; he absolutely adores that club,” Hart said. “And the club adores him. So whatever decisions get made, it will be a joint decision.
“I’m not sure whether he does do the remainder of his contract or whatever, but all they care about at that club right now is trying to win: the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login