The former British footballer, Joleon Lescott, said Josep Guardiola would leave Manchester City at the end of this season. Having not yet visited Guardiola to extend his contract with Man City which ends on June 30, 2021, Lescott is optimistic that the Spaniard will leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2021.
Guardiola was appointed as Man City coach in the summer of 2016. The 49-year-old coach is targeted for Man City management to win the Champions League, a title that The Citizens have never won – the nickname Man City.
However, during four seasons in charge of Man City, let alone bringing Manchester Blue to the Champions League, led Sergio Aguero and his friends to qualify for the semifinals, even Guardiola was unable to. So far, Guardiola’s best achievement has only brought Man City to qualify for the quarter-finals in the last three seasons.
Even so, Lescott thinks Guardiola has not failed with Man City. During four seasons dealing with Man City, Guardiola gave eight trophies to the public at the Etihad Stadium and two of them were Premier League titles.
“There are a number of factors that will influence that (Guardiola leaving Man City). If Guardiola decides to leave, that’s one thing. However, I would be surprised if the club decided to fire Guardiola, a figure who has changed the club’s profile, “said Lescott, who defended Man City from 2009 to 2014, citing Sportskeeda, Saturday (3/10/2020).
“I didn’t say he was leaving. But, the fact he has not got a contract for next season shows that he will not be there (Man City), “continued Lescott.
If you really leave Man City, where will Guardiola end up? In the last two seasons, Guardiola has been linked with Juventus.
It is true, Juventus has just signed the Italian coach, Andrea Pirlo, until June 30, 2022. However, it is not a guarantee that Pirlo will continue to handle Juventus next season, especially if the results obtained by the Bianconeri – the nickname Juventus – are not satisfactory this season.
“Juventus could secretly lower Pirlo to the U-23 team next year if Guardiola or Zidane is available again,” said European football observer Andy Brassell.