Manchester City

Former Manchester City defender Steph Houghton says England need a world-class coach but things Pep Guardiola will extend his stay at Manchester City beyond this season.

The Spaniard has been in charge of City for eight seasons and has won the league on six occasions, part of an overall 17-trophy haul.

"Pep has been thrown into this mix of potential England managers because the sporting director is going and there's been the narrative that Guardiola will leave with him at the end of the season," said Houghton on the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club.

"I personally think Guardiola will stay at City."

Asked if the departure of City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is significant and could prompt Guardiola to follow, Houghton said: "I just think it is just a massive coincidence as he has been trying to retire for a long time now."

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New York Times journalist Rory Smith says reports of Pep Guardiola signing a new contract extension at Manchester City "would make sense" as "he will want to go out on a high with maybe another Champions League".

Guardiola's contract is set to expire at the end of this season following seven years at the club.

In the aftermath of City's historic fourth successive Premier League title success, Guardiola raised doubts over his own future when he said he was "closer to leaving than staying".

"There is a suggestion that Pep Guardiola will sign a one or two year extension and that would make sense to me," said Smith on the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club.

"This is all up to Guardiola because he can stay at City for as long as he likes. Whether he wants to do that by just signing continual rolling extensions is up to him but it strikes me as being less from ideal. Otherwise you have this thing at the start of every season wondering if it is his last season.

"I suspect he will want to go out on a high with maybe with another Champions League. But he also knows there is no other club in the world that can provide him with the same working environment as what he has at City.

"If he goes, then it will either be because he doesn't want to work for a bit, or it will be for a very different type of job."

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, 53, has been sounded out by the Football Association about becoming England's next manager and is expected to decide on his future in the coming weeks. (Times), external

Spaniard Guardiola is also considering signing a one-year contract extension to stay at City. (Telegraph), external

Barcelona club president Joao Laporte is prepared to do anything to sign Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland, 24, next year or in 2026. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport pundit Fara Williams will be answering your questions, giving her insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former England midfielder?

What can your team achieve after their start to the season? Who has been your best player so far? What does the manager's future hold?

Send in your questions here, external

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

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In the final part of our Q&A, BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay digs into Pep Guardiola's tactics and player positions.

Kevin asked: I am surprised that Josko Gvardiol has not been considered as a holding midfield player. He has played games in that position, so is it because we don't have real cover at left-back until Nathan Ake is back?

Mike answered: You are totally right in the aspect of having little cover at left-back.

Right now, Rico Lewis has had to play there if Gvardiol is not chosen. Being the current designated left-back, as we saw at Newcastle, has not stopped Gvardiol getting forward, but I think with Ake's injury he has to remain at left-back.

Guardiola knows he has players who can offer the midfield role from defence: Lewis, John Stones and Manuel Akanji. When Ake returns, it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Kurt asked: Defensively we have not been great this season. How concerned are you with how many we are conceding and do you feel our defence needs more attention, especially with Rodri not there to protect? Apart from Akanji, we seem to lack pace, and Kyle Walker isn't going to keep his pace for much longer.

Mike answered: There are only two frustrating goals I can remember City conceding this season - Gabriel's for Arsenal, because there had literally been a warning sign of their set-piece set-up moments before, and the first goal Fulham scored in the game before the international break, because it just seemed sloppy from a defensive perspective.

The number of chances Fulham created at times had me concerned - although a pace battle with Adama Traore is about the only one Walker will not win. As long as the team is scoring goals, it is fine.

A few years ago, I remember Guardiola bemoaning "one shot, one goal" of the opposition -but City still won the league.

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Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester reporter

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In part two of our Q&A, BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay dissects why Rodri is so instrumental in Manchester City's success.

Zachary asked: Why is Rodri so important to the line-up and who should replace him while he recovers from his injury?

Mike answered: In cold, hard statistics, Rodri's importance last season was shown by the fact he did not lose a game all season (for City or Spain) up until the FA Cup final.

Mateo Kovacic told me last week that he considers Rodri to be "best player in the world" and the club are really pushing for him to be a Ballon d'Or winner this year.

It is his all-round play that makes him stand out. The central midfield role means you have to have a 360 degrees view and understanding of the pitch. Nobody can handle that better than Rodri.

He is there to break up play, be the metronome in midfield, provide key passes at crucial moments and also score big goals (Istanbul 2023, anyone?).

That is why his season-long loss is such a blow, but I would instantly back Kovacic to help fill the void. He has impressed me in just over a year at the club. But there is a need to have a partner and I'm not sure who that is.

Ilkay Gundogan seems a little 'off' at the minute, while Rico Lewis can play there but is only just learning the role. John Stones, for whatever reason, is not getting the game time right now but from the Treble season, we know he can do it.

Listen to Total Sport on BBC Radio Manchester every weeknight at 18:00 and listen to every Manchester City game - home and away - live on BBC Radio Manchester.

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Over the course of Monday, BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay will be answering your questions on Manchester City.

In the first part, he takes a look at whether Pep Guardiola will sign a new contract following last week's news of director of football's Txiki Begiristain.

It is also a topical discussion given the vacant England manager position.

Jeff asked: Do you think Begiristain’s departure in the summer will signal the end of Guardiola's reign at City and a changing of the guard?

Mike replied: Whereas it was obvious that City’s backroom set-up was aimed at bringing Guardiola in, I do not think an exit of those at director level would necessarily be the cue for him to leave.

Txiki planned to leave over five years ago, at the age of 55, but with City's continuing rise, he stayed to see the project grow. Now aged 60, he has decided it is the right time to retire.

When Begiristain started to make noises behind the scenes that he intended to leave, Guardiola renewed his deal in May 2018, November 2020 and November 2022 in the knowledge his director of football might not stick around.

It is true that Guardiola has said he is "closer to the end than the beginning" of his time at Manchester City, but does that mean leaving in the summer?

Not at all.

Image source, PA Media

On Monday, Phil McNulty took questions from England fans, mainly on who ought to be next in line to manage the nation.

David asked: Hi Phil, there is lots of speculation on the England job. Can I ask who you think should be England manager and why? My thoughts are either Pep Guardiola or Eddie Howe. I think the position would suit Howe more than Guardiola with him being English and used to working with a real core of English players Could Guardiola get the best out of what is on paper a talented crop of players?

Phil answered: Guardiola would be the dream but I just cannot see that happening.

I would never doubt Pep Guardiola’s ability to get the best out of players because he is a genius but it would be different for him trying to get his ideas across in a few days with a national team - as opposed to his intense, meticulous work day after day on the training ground.

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Manchester City winger Jack Grealish says he is enjoying playing football for Lee Carsley with the proof being two goals in three games under the interim England boss.

Grealish was not selected by former manager Gareth Southgate for the summer's Euro 2024 squad, despite making 20 Premier League appearances for City in the 2023-24 season.

However, since Carsley's arrival, Grealish has made the squad for both Nations League camps and scored against Republic of Ireland and Finland. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice also got on the scoresheet in those games, which makes them the first two players to score in consecutive away games since Bukayo Saka and Tammy Abraham in 2021.

Having scored just twice in his first 36 England caps, Grealish has equalled that in just three appearances for Carsley.

"I can't thank him enough," said Grealish to BBC Radio 5 Live. "I love playing for him, he is a brilliant manager and hopefully I have re-paid him with the goals.

"That goal [against Finland] came from me having the freedom to come off the line."

Reflecting on what this means for the 29-year-old's international career moving forward, former England footballer and current BBC football pundit said: "Carsley has played Grealish and put his faith into him, so he has got a bounce off that player because he feels loved again in that sense.

"Everyone wants to feel like their manager rates you and you are wanted in the team as that gets the best out of you."

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Brazil keeper Ederson says he had an offer to leave Manchester City in the summer but that talks with manager Pep Guardiola were key to him staying with the Premier League club. (TNT Sports Brazil - in Portuguese), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Manchester City are interested in signing 25-year-old Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa from Porto as a long-term replacement for Ederson. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has decided on his future away from Manchester City but will not be joining Paris St-Germain. (El Nacional - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have announced the appointment of Hugo Viana as director of football to succeed the outgoing Txiki Begiristain.

Former Portugal midfielder Viana, who had a four-year spell at Newcastle United as a player, will move to Etihad Stadium from Sporting and officially starts his role after the Club World Cup in the summer.

City say the 41-year-old will collaborate with Begiristain, who is leaving the club after 12 years, in the meantime "to ensure a smooth transition".

Manchester City could move for 26-year-old Sporting Lisbon and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, if Barcelona are able to lure 24-year-old Norway forward Erling Haaland from Etihad Stadium. (Football 365), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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The real power around the club resides in Abu Dhabi, through owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, and they have put the structures in place that can allow safe passage through the loss of any executive, no matter how important.

Also, they have been preparing for director of football Txiki Begiristain's departure for five years, given his original intention had been to stand down aged 55.

The initial speculation about a replacement revolved around Quique Carcel, currently sporting director at fellow City Football Group club Girona. Whether it becomes reality or not, that does not suggest an entire template being ripped up.

The news of Begiristain's departure at the end of the season also comes in a week where there has been a verdict in City's legal case against the Premier League over the league's rules on commercial deals involving clubs' owners, with both sides claiming victory.

That case is not directly related to the Premier League disciplinary commission which is under way into 115 charges against City for allegedly breaching its financial regulations, some of which date back to 2009.

Read the full piece on what Begiristain's departure could mean for Pep Guardiola's future

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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When Manchester City fans displayed a banner at Etihad Stadium on Saturday pleading for their adored manager Pep Guardiola to stay, they probably weren't aware his close friend, ally and director of football Txiki Begiristain would be leaving the club this summer.

Guardiola's contract expires at the end of this season, with no indication from the club or manager as to whether he will sign an extension.

On Tuesday, BBC Sport reported Begiristain is set to leave City after this campaign, with the 60-year-old being praised many times by Guardiola for his work on recruitment.

Guardiola, who joined City in 2016 on a three-year deal, extended his City contract in May 2018, November 2020 and again in November 2022.

“One of the reasons I extended my contract two times is because Txiki is here,” Guardiola said in 2021.

“We work together incredibly well. When we win, we try to analyse why. When we lose, we try to analyse why. We don’t judge the other one. We both work for the best for this club.

"That's why it's a joy to work here with people like Txiki."

Begiristain joined City in 2012, and played a key role in bringing his former Barcelona team-mate and colleague Guardiola to Manchester.

Since then Guardiola has led City to 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a first Champions League triumph in 2022-23.

In July, Guardiola said he wanted to wait until the season was under way to "look at how everything is going and how connected we are" before making a decision on his future.

And asked about the fans banner last week, Guardiola's latest answer to media questions about any decision on his future was: "When it's going to happen, it's going to happen."

Read the full article

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Borussia Dortmund have triggered the €30m obligation to buy clause in right-back Yann Couto's loan deal from Manchester City.

The Brazil international signed for City in 2020 but has not made a first team appearance for the club and has spent loan spells at Girona and Braga.

So far this season, he has made seven appearances for Dortmund, including the 7-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League last month.

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Mateo Kovacic may have impressed at the weekend against Fulham, but it is going to be more difficult than that to fill the Rodri hole in midfield.

Rodri would chip in with his goals, assists and so on, but he is more defensive-minded than any other midfielder Manchester City currently have.

He is very good at receiving the ball under pressure, using his size and technical ability to take the same ball and create a threat. He is also very good at sniffing out dangers and managing it from quite early on in the game.

So I don't think you replace him, especially considering he could be a Ballon d'Or winner in a couple of weeks. To say he is replaceable would almost be an insult to him.

It is going to be different now for Pep Guardiola. The players he has available to select have different traits and, as a consequence, you cannot just play the same way.

There is no like-for-like player in that City side, so this may be a good time for the team to look back at how they have managed this spell without Rodri in recent games and then think about how they need to approach it on a week-to-week basis going into the next block of matches.

There is still an element there where, especially against Fulham, they were really open. Guardiola will not want that because the opposition will take those chances on another day.

No player is irreplaceable. But when a player who could be a Ballon d'Or winner just disappears from your side, then like-for-like replacements are just not an option.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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John Stones says he is not worried about off-the-field issues at Manchester City and is instead focused on putting right a "frustrating" start to the season due to a lack of game time.

City were involved in a public disagreement with the Premier League earlier this week, following on from a tribunal about financial rules. The case was a separate one to a further hearing over 115 charges they face for allegedly breaching financial regulations.

In addition, news broke that director of football Txiki Begiristain is set to leave the club.

Asked if the boardroom dealings were a concern Stones said: "The honest truth is no, it doesn't worry me. I am very much someone if I cannot control it I don't give it the headspace or attention. That might seem a bit wrong in some ways, but that is how I deal with it.

"At the end of the day, it is out of my hands and I put a lot of trust in the club and the people around me are good."

Stones will captain England against Greece in their Nations League fixture on Thursday.

He has made one Premier League start this season after a lengthy break following England's run to the Euro 2024 final.

"It's always frustrating when you want to play," he added. "I think that's football. Obviously, coming back later than the majority of the squad after the Euros, the team being in good form, there's a lot of factors.

"I've been in this position before, where you are in and out and don't really get a run of games but you know how important you are and you know not to get frustrated and to be there for the team.

"That's what I've done and had a positive effect from the bench and when I have started as well. I am always going to say I wish I could start every game but it is a long season and there are a lot of important games coming up."

Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish says he "didn't really agree" with his omission from England's Euro 2024 squad.

Speaking before Thursday's Nations League game against Greece, Grealish gave his reasoning why he believes he should have been included in the summer and also heaped the praise on interim manager Lee Carsley.

Listen to the full interview on the Football Daily podcast