After Man City drew with Bournemouth in round 37, Arsenal officially won the Premier League title 1 round early. In London, all attention is focused on the Northern region where "Gunners" fans celebrate. As for Bournemouth, all discussions are focused on Pep Guardiola as this is the last season he still leads The Citizens.
All major news sites confirmed that this is Pep's last season at the Etihad stadium, but the 55-year-old coach himself has never said that directly. In all previous press conferences, when asked about the future, Pep always said he had 1 year left on his contract.
In the press conference after the draw as if losing to Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola did not show disappointment. On the contrary, he was very calm and did not avoid it.
Not until now, for 3-4 years now, I have always exchanged regularly with the club's leadership. If I have to say something, I will inform the club president first. Whether to sign an extension or not depends on his decision" - Pep Guardiola shared.
The party on Monday evening next week is the time for Man City to honor the men's and women's teams. The women's team won the Premier League and the men's team won the FA Cup and League Cup. That may be the time for Pep Guardiola to say goodbye after a decade of attachment with too much glory.
In recent weeks, Pep has often talked about the memories of his long journey with the Etihad club. Not only that, he has also given many speeches to thank the team legends who will leave this summer such as Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
After the draws against Everton and Bournemouth, Man City's championship race with Arsenal has ended. This is not a disaster for The Citizens because they have been too full of titles in recent years, but as Erling Haaland said, Man City has not won the Premier League for 2 consecutive seasons, which is very difficult to accept.
Pep always says he is okay and his outward attitude also shows that. At press conferences, reporters often ask questions in a teasing way to this veteran strategist. Pep also happily responds even though there are many "stirring" sentences, especially about the future. In these last days, he does not want to cause any scandals, everyone is happy to look back at a glorious stage of success that has passed.
At many times this season, Pep Guardiola has talked about the future and playing style of Man City in the coming time, igniting hope for fans that he will still stay at Etihad.
However, that is Pep's professionalism, he does not want to say goodbye when it is not yet time because it will shake everything. They accepted the 55-year-old strategist's statement "I have 1 year left on my contract" as a clever lie, everyone understands and is happy with Pep's final decision.
The last match of this season with Aston Villa will be an opportunity for Pep to win the final victory in Man City's colors, thereby closing the most beautiful chapter in the history of this team. There are still many doubts about what The Citizens will be like after the Pep Guardiola era?
However, the flow of time has no place for anyone forever. Man City will continue to play, continue to develop and move into a new chapter. At this time, everyone only hopes that the legacy Pep left behind will not be wasted in the years to come.
