Pep Guardiola gives blunt answer to Man City exit question – ‘Zero’

Pep Guardiola spoke in an interview for the first time since it was unofficially confirmed that he will leave Manchester City this summer

Pep Guardiola spoke for the first time since news broke that he will leave Manchester City this season ahead of the Premier League game at Bournemouth.

The City boss did his pre-match broadcast interview where Sky Sports told him that it would be ‘unfair’ to ask him about his future before the game so instead asked him if the stories had disrupted their preparations.

City face a huge game in the Premier League, needing to end Bournemouth’s 15-game unbeaten run to take the title race to the final day. And while that is a meaty topic in itself, Guardiola leaving English football in a week is arguably bigger.

City insist that Guardiola remains their manager and has a contract until 2027. And the manager said that the stories in the last 24 hours had ‘zero’ impact on the squad as they prepared for the game. Guardiola is also expected to conduct post-match media duties including flash interviews and a press conference.

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News broke on Monday evening that Guardiola will be departing the club this summer despite having another year to run on his contract. It has not been confirmed by the manager or the club, who have stated that he remains in charge and has a deal until 2027.

City travel to Bournemouth knowing that they need to win if they want to stay alive in the Premier League title race. Arsenal’s win over Burnley on Monday night moves them five points clear at the top of the table, so anything less than victory for the Blues on Tuesday will crown Arsenal as champions with a game to spare.

Guardiola has called on his City players to force Arsenal to win the title for themselves rather than being handed it on the final day. The Gunners have to go to Selhurst Park on Sunday, with City at home to an Aston Villa team that have already qualified for the Champions League and have the Europa League final on Wednesday.