Is Pep Guardiola about to quit Man City? The hints which suggest he might say goodbye

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Pep Guardiola has raised the bar and changed the face of English football since his arrival in 2016.

In my view, the Manchester City boss has been the best manager of the Premier League era which includes the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson , Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger . Guardiola has made us change the way we think about football, brought new tactical patterns, systems, reinvented positions and led City to an incredible era of success.

But there is something there that makes me think if Guardiola wins the Treble - and I think he will - then he will ride off into the sunset.

Guardiola right now just looks free and, dare I say it, demob-happy, like some kind of weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Even down to that new rather trendy-looking sweatshirt with a P as a logo.

He looks carefree and is enjoying himself like never before. He looks cheeky. Enjoying more banter and managing like he knows things are coming to a glorious end.

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There is also no way he signs Gianluigi Donnarumma unless he saw this season as one last hurrah. He is a keeper so out of keeping with his style. He does not want to play out from the back.

Even players coming in must ask the question: is he staying? There have always been doubts in the past few seasons. They are at an unprecedented level now.

But there is not a definitive answer, just reassurances that if the manager goes then don’t worry because the club is in good shape and will have a plan.

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There is no doubt that City have been looking just in case. Enzo Maresca looks a good option and is being strongly tipped. It makes sense for a club to see what is out there just in case.

But I really hope Guardiola stays on and signs another deal. The point is that he has made City better and has made other teams better.

When City were at their absolute peak, Liverpool had to reach incredible levels under Jurgen Klopp to win the title. Then Arne Slot did it again.

Arsenal are striving to do it but, let’s be honest, they have always had a lingering doubt that City might come back. And they have.

That’s the point: teams have to raise their game to compete with Pep. People always talk about the wages and City’s wage bill. And of course that’s a point. But it should not excuse other teams not buying well or buying efficiently. Don’t start using City as an excuse for your own failings.

Guardiola gave us the inverted full back. He gave us the risk and reward of keepers playing out from the back. He’s been innovative this time with a high-press, man-to-man tactical style which outwitted their main rivals, Arsenal.

We're 10 years in and Guardiola is still at the cutting edge of football, new ideas and plans. He talked about “next season” after City’s FA Cup semi final win. A little hint he would still be around. But hardly reassuring.

It would be such a shame if he went. I’m quite sure that other teams would breath a huge sigh of relief. But even if they won after his departure, it would come with the disclaimer: yeah, but it was after Pep.

Guardiola has been incredible for English football. No wonder Italy are the latest team to fancy him as a national boss. England had a go.

But I hope he stays - because he has taken the game to new levels in this country.

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