Pep Guardiola set to leave Man City despite signing new contract

Former Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce believes Pep Guardiola could quit if they continue to struggle.

Despite signing a new contract until 2027, Pearce questioned the likelihood of the Spaniard remaining at the club, if he continues to struggle.

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Speaking on talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast, Pearce said he “could see” Guardiola leaving his role as Man City boss.

“It’s a job, it’s a career. You have to be happy in your workplace and he might turn to one or two close family members who might say, ‘Pep, come on, you’re not no longer the man you once had.” were, is it time to move away from him?

“Everyone in their life has pressures. Pressures to pay mortgages, external pressures, etc., there are a multitude of pressures.

“In football, you carry the hopes and dreams of thousands of people and staff.

“Keep in mind that you have brought people to your side who are also going to lose their jobs.”

Speaking about Sunday’s Manchester derby, Pearce said that while it was a tough call, he added: “I don’t think Man United will win the game.

“It’s a result I can call. I think Man City will find something in their championship mentality and make sure they don’t get beaten in this game.

“Whether they view a draw as a very average result for both teams, that could potentially be the case. Both will come away with a point perhaps.

“They might think that, to be completely honest, it didn’t help either of us,” Pearce concluded.

Pearce managed Man City from 2005 to 2007 and led them to 15th place in the Premier League, losing nine of their last ten matches in the 2005/06 season.

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The following season, City came close to relegation under Pearce and scored only ten goals in home matches throughout the season, and none after New Year’s Day in 2007.

This set a top-flight record and ultimately Pearce was sacked at the end of the campaign.

Pearce went on to manage the England Under-21 team and then Team GB’s Olympic football team for the London 2012 Games.

He subsequently held managerial positions at Nottingham Forest in 2014, then as assistant to David Moyes at West Ham United three years later.

Man City host local rivals Man United at the Etihad on Sunday, with both teams struggling to find consistent form.

This is also Ruben Amorim’s first derby, although his last meeting with Pep Guardiola saw his Portuguese side Sporting beat Man City 4-1 in the Champions League.