Ex-Man City manager Stuart Pearce has admitted that he was fully expecting Pep Guardiola to leave the Etihad this summer.

Speaking to CLUB (quotes via CityXtra), Pearce said that he also felt there was a chance of Guardiola departing last year, but the Catalan has shown that he can’t be second-guessed:

“You know what, I thought he was going to leave this summer, and I thought he might have been doing it the summer before as well. We’re closer to the end than the start, but I’ve given up predicting when Pep decides to call it a day at City”

“I’ll be saddened when he does actually leave City, because his brand of football, his personality, all the things, make him a credit to the Premier League.”

Guardiola has committed himself for another 2 years

The 54-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal back in November, keeping him at City until the summer of 2027.

You do feel that no matter what happens over the next couple of seasons, Guardiola will try to see out his contract. Beyond that, though, it is hard to tell, as Pearce has pointed out.

The City boss has vowed to take a sabbatical

Speaking to GQ Hype magazine a couple of weeks ago, Guardiola made it clear that his management career would “stop” once his spell with City comes to an end.

He claims he is keen to take care of himself, and it could mean he spends several years away from football.

Guardiola has hinted previously that he would be prepared to take an international job, but it seems he wants a sabbatical. City fans will very much hope that he still has plenty left to give to his current club.

In other news, Erling Haaland has made a frank admission about Man City’s defeat to Arsenal earlier this year