Pep Guardiola: Has the Man City manager stopped hinting at his next move? ‘The future is bright’ | Football news

Pep Guardiola said the “future is bright” for Manchester City and that he feels “stable at the club” after winning his 20th title for the club with a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

City kept alive their hopes of winning the treble at home as Antoine Semenyo ended the second half breaking Chelsea’s decision.

In his 24th appearance at Wembley since his arrival at City, this latest victory secured Guardiola his third FA Cup title, and his fourth final in a row.

There has been speculation all season that Guardiola could step down as City manager this summer after ten years in charge.

The Spaniard has repeatedly stated that he still has a year left on his contract, but has also given up on his commitment this season.

He also said Sky Sports in recent days that he loves his job and still has “amazing energy” for the challenge.

Speaking after the 1-0 win at Wembley, Guardiola said: “I took some time to click something, I missed something during the process.

“I did a lot of different situations and I pressed. This player and another player.

“We had a feeling in the last two months, I felt a stability in the team that I didn’t find maybe in the past. But it’s normal because there are many new players, injured players and sometimes you need more time. But the highest competitions don’t wait.

“But the top eight in the Champions League, we got one of the strongest opponents. Real Madrid is always a really tough opponent. But in other competitions we behaved in an unusual way.

“The future is bright. I know the boys, I know how they feel, the commitment of the team, it’s at a high level. I’m sure we’ll be there in the years to come.”

If this is to be Guardiola’s last season in charge, he will win at least two trophies following the Carabao Cup victory here in March. City’s attention now turns to the Premier League title race with Bournemouth away on Tuesday, live Sky Sports.

Tuesday 19 May 7:00pm

It will start at 7:30 p.m

Pep is right – this could be the start of a new Man City

Analysis from Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones at Wembley:

There was a momentous moment after City’s FA Cup win over Chelsea. Amidst the excitement, Guardiola’s message was not about adding another piece of silverware; it was about the future.

There was little Guardiola said about the conviction of the manager who feels the wheel turning again. The start of the next City cycle, perhaps.

Over the past 18 months, there has sometimes been a desire to put the City on the wane. The rivals finally fight each other. However, two wins at Wembley this season felt less like the end of an era and more like the launch of another.

This could be a renewed and re-energized Manchester City.

Guardiola did not rule out everything. Instead, he has carefully injected pace, energy, youth and uncertainty into a team that may have become too comfortable.

Marc Guehi was the epitome of that change in the finals. He played as a full-back at home in these moments.

Then there is Antoine Semenyo – the second of the January signings. Wembley finals are remembered for a while. Semenyo presented one that will be played for decades. The winning goal was impressive not just for its skill but for its intensity.

Perhaps the biggest criticism leveled at City in recent years is that they are sometimes short-handed at big moments. It is very predictable. You are very concerned about control.

Semenyo adds something a little different – as does summer signing Rayan Cherki, who looks to be one of City’s smartest moves in years. What makes Cherki so dangerous in this area is that Guardiola seems willing to trust his improvement. He made a big difference off the bench in the second half.

And then there are the young people who support everything.

The emergence of Nico O’Reilly has added energy and personality to the midfield areas while Abdukodir Khusanov looks like the type of modern defender Guardiola likes, quick all over the world, aggressive in duels and daring to defend big spaces one-on-one.

The balance of this team suddenly looks frighteningly healthy.

Bernardo: Pep changed the way I see football

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva speaking to BBC Sport:

“He [Pep Guardiola] it changed the way I see football. 80 percent of my work was with him as my boss. All the things I hoped to accomplish with him. The relationships we have are stronger through frustrations and successes.

“I care a lot about Man City. This is his decision [on whether he wants to leave]. It is not for me to comment on that. Wish you all the best. I enjoy being with him and sharing all these moments together.”