GUARDIOLA TO LEAVE MAN CITY NEXT SEASON

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Pep Guardiola is expected to depart Premier League champions Manchester City next summer.

Guardiola, who joined the club eight years ago, has 12 months left on a contract that sources believe will be his last at the Etihad Stadium.

City will give Guardiola space to make a final decision on his future – and want him to extend his stay after 15 major trophies, including delivering a first Champions League.

But the club’s hierarchy fear that Guardiola’s ninth year will represent the end. While City stress that there has been no formal indication either way from the 52-year-old, according to Daily Mail

, multiple sources within the industry and City have openly discussed the prospect of an impending departure over recent months.

The news will act as a fillip for City’s rivals, who have watched Guardiola mastermind six Premier League titles in seven years and become the first to win four in a row.

City’s succession planning will begin, with Girona’s Michel talked up as a potential candidate after impressing in La Liga.

Julian Nagelsmann has a contract with Germany until 2026 and Xabi Alonso is highly thought of, while Guardiola himself admires Roberto De Zerbi.

Guardiola has confirmed that he will be back next season but admitted that he is unsure which stars will head for the exit door over the summer.