Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could delay a decision on extending his future at the Etihad Stadium until 2025.
The 53-year-old has started preparations for his ninth campaign in east Manchester this week, returning to the City Football Academy with a handful of first-team stars ahead of a four-match tour of United States across late July and early August.
The Catalan, who has been at Manchester City since 2016, could be set to embark on his final season at the Etihad Stadium, with Guardiola out of contract with the club at the end of the upcoming 2024/25 campaign.
Guardiola clinched a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title in May, beating West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season to lift the trophy for the sixth time in seven years.
Manchester City also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup last season, and will compete in expanded editions of both the Club World Cup and UEFA Champions League this season, following major changes to both flagship competitions.
The Sky Blues begin their domestic campaign against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium next month, prior to kicking-off their Premier League title defence against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in west London.
Manchester City are also scheduled to conclude their Premier League campaign in west London, facing Fulham at Craven Cottage on the final day of the season, with the growing potential for the fixture to be Guardiola’s last with the Sky Blues.
The 53-year-old has previously signed three contract extensions, penning fresh deals in 2018, 2020 and most recently November 2022.
Manchester City executives and supporters could be forced to wait until the final weeks of the season to find out if Guardiola will sign a fourth deal however, with Jamie Jackson reporting that Guardiola intends to delay a decision on his future.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager will reportedly wait until between November and February to make a decision, as Guardiola currently remains unsure, and wants to therefore make the decision midway through the season.
Both Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain have been linked with departing east Manchester in 2025, however Etihad executives have reportedly already proposed a rolling new deal to Guardiola, amid fears of losing the 53-year-old next year.