When things were looking good, he was there so Pep Guardiola will reportedly stick it out with Manchester City despite the repercussions of the club's banning from the UEFA Champions League. The Catalan has been telling his friends he's not walking away from the reigning Premier League champs.
UEFA handed down a decision last week that will Guardiola's squad potentially missing out two years of competition in Europe. City is appealing the ban, but the prospect of gloom appears to be setting in.
Notwithstanding, the Spanish boss will not abandon the side that he is committed to managing until 2021.
"Pep Guardiola has told friends he intends to stay at Manchester City despite the club's two-year ban from the Champions League," BBC reported.
It's too early to say though if Guardiola's word would still ring true if the ban stays. The report said the Spaniard could change his mind if the City's misfortunes would slide even deeper. There were predictions that City will see an exodus of stars should the ban is not overturned, and the head coach could follow suit.
It appeared for now, however, that the City boss has no plan to change his current situation, which he described as "a time for sticking together," according to Yahoo Sports.
"Look, whatever league we are in, I will still be here. Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here," Guardiola was reported as saying.
League Two is the fourth and lowest division in England's football league hierarchy. In effect, the City boss is saying that not even the most severe of demotion that his club can incur will prompt him to abandon the side.
His statement, however, cannot be construed as mere undying loyalty for Manchester City. As the report suggested, Guardiola is optimistic the UEFA ban will be reduced at best, if not lifted.
Since the City boss is not known to walk away from a contract, it could be that Guardiola will honor his commitment to leading Manchester until next year. If the Champions League banishment will be served the full course, it will be hard to tell if Guardiola will stay beyond 2021.
For one, the manager is not known to extend his stay on a club for more than four years, and already, he is linked to being the next manager for Juventus or possibly a return to Barcelona.
But a rumored stint in Turin seems more compelling for Guardiola as Juventus could be the next team for Barca superstar Lionel Messi. There, Guardiola and Messi will have a reunion and possibly weave a dream team that also banners Cristiano Ronaldo.
