The Catalan coach admitted that he could yet extend his stay earlier in the season, but it appears City chiefs are taking no risks. City Group will look close to home for his replacement and are set to consider Girona’s Michel Sanchez.

Sanchez has earned admirers over the course of 2023/24 as he finds success with a team that includes former Premier League players Paolo Gazzaniga, Daley Blind, Cristhian Stuani and Eric Garcia. The 48-year-old manager has previously enjoyed stints with Huesca and Rayo Vallecano and was appointed Girona boss in 2021.

The former midfielder earned promotion to La Liga in his first season with the club and produced a top-half finish in his side’s first season back in the league. While the extent of Guardiola’s future remains uncertain, the ex-Barcelona and Roma midfielder has previously admitted he could be tempted into the international arena.

The City boss stopped short of putting a timeframe on that move, however. “I would like to experience living through a World Cup, a Euro Cup, a Copa America, whatever it may be,” said Guardiola.

“I would like to experience that. I don’t know when, in five, ten, fifteen years, but I would like to play in a World Cup as a coach.

I don’t know who wants me,” he added, “To work with a national team, they have to want you.” *Join our new WhatsApp community* *and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.

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