Pep Guardiola 'here to stay' at Man City and his plans for future with Jurgen Klopp gone

Pep Guardiola is “here to stay” at Manchester City, according to Micah Richards.

The City manager created English football history on Sunday by winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Beating West Ham 3-1 on the final day to pip Arsenal by two points, Guardiola’s personal tally extended to six winners’ medals, equalling Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and Aston Villa’s George Ramsay.

Yet much has been said about how long the 53-year-old will continue managing the side given the demands of striving for perfection year after year. Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of next season, giving way to some speculation over whether he will leave the Etihad next summer or perhaps even sooner.

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But former City defender and pundit Richards revealed on The Rest Is Football podcast that he took Guardiola's comments on Sunday to mean he will remain put for another season at the very least. “He basically said he’s here to stay,” Richards told Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

“He didn’t say how long for but he gave an inkling that basically he’s staying. Jurgen Klopp’s left [Liverpool] now as well. If you can rack up another three or four Premier Leagues, you’re going to take that opportunity aren’t you?”

Guardiola admitted in his interview after City’s league triumph that he is struggling to find the motivation to continue, having already sealed a historic Treble last season and now broken another major record with a fourth title.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said: “Last year, after Istanbul, I said ‘it’s over, there’s nothing left’. But I have a contract and I start to think ‘no-one has done four in a row, why don't we try?’ And now I feel it’s done, so what next?

“Now I don't know what exactly the motivation is because it's difficult to find it when everything is done. The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying.

“We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see.”

Lineker also revealed that he had spoken to Guardiola about his future and Klopp’s Liverpool departure stemming from a lack of energy. Guardiola told the Match of the Day pundit he was "exhausted" but still "enjoying it".