UMVA has learned that Manchester City is scrambling to persuade their manager, Pep Guardiola, to stay at the Etihad Stadium, despite his widely reported intention to leave the club this summer.
The Spanish tactician has been a huge success at City, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, and numerous other major honours since taking over in the summer of 2016. However, recent reports suggest that he is now planning to step down, with some speculating that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could be his replacement.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Manchester City owners have held emergency talks with Guardiola, trying to convince him to stick around for another season. The talks were described as intense, with the club hoping for a miracle that might change his mind.
The club is set to release a statement within the next 48 hours to clarify Guardiola's plans, but it seems likely that he has already made up his mind to leave. A deal for Maresca appears to be almost in place, but you can never rule out a late change of heart, especially from a character like Guardiola.
Guardiola's potential departure comes after a challenging season for City, who despite winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, were beaten to the Premier League title by Arsenal. It will be interesting to see if City can keep hold of Guardiola, or if the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is ready for a change.
The situation is set to be clarified soon, but one thing is certain - Manchester City's future hangs in the balance, and the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the course of the club's history.
