Manc City handed Pep Guardiola sack verdict – 'It's come to an end'

Dietmar Hamann does not see Pep Guardiola claiming another major trophy with Manchester City . The Spanish genius has been a constant presence at the Etihad Stadium for nine years, securing six Premier League crowns, two FA Cups , four League Cups and a Champions League .

However, speculation continues to swirl around his future in Manchester, despite penning a fresh two-year deal last November . City came a disappointing third in the Premier League last season, crashed out of the Champions League to Real Madrid in the knockout phase play-offs, suffered a round of 16 League Cup exit to Tottenham Hotspur and were beaten by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

The summer's Club World Cup in America also delivered disappointment for the Citizens, who were eliminated by Al-Hilal in the round of 16. And former City star Hamann believes Guardiola's golden era at the club has reached its conclusion.

Speaking to the MEN via Grosvenor Casinos , the 52-year-old said: "I think everything comes to an end. We've seen [Jurgen] Klopp leave the club [ Liverpool ] after eight years or something. And he said it's been very testing and he needs a break.

"Now, Guardiola is there at least one or two seasons longer, and it's a very testing job. You've got so many commitments. It's not just the football, it's the press commitments, it's the travelling.

"It just takes it out of you. And I just feel, and I felt that way last season, I was very surprised that he was still in charge come the end of the season. They certainly, or they probably won't sack him because he's done so many great things. And obviously [Txiki] Begiristain and all the Barcelona guys are in charge of Manchester City.

"I feel that with City, it has come to an end. I know Guardiola is still there. I can't see him – and I said it in the summer before the season started – I can't see him winning a big title at City again, meaning the Premier League or the Champions League. You can always win a League cup or a Cup, you only need to win six or seven games.

"I can't see him winning the Premier League or the Champions League. And I think his time will come to an end at some stage rather sooner than later, because I just feel that when you get new players in and a new season starts, you've got to galvanise the team and you've got to light a fire and say, 'Come on, lads, if Slot did last season, this is our year. This is what we're going to do. We take the fans with us and then we show them what we're made of.'

"Now, if you hear the same voice, and there's players there who've been there for seven, eight, nine years, I think it's very hard to bring out the fire in the players and also the fans. And I think this is the way they play. It's all a bit lacklustre. You can't say it went wrong, I just feel that Guardiola probably stayed one or two seasons too long."

Despite coming up short last term, Guardiola penned a contract extension that will see him remain at the Etihad Stadium until at least summer 2027. However, Hamann saw that as a "token" gesture to maintain morale in Manchester.

He added: "They extended their contract last season, I think, when they went 10 or 12 games unbeaten. I think it was just a token gesture to keep everybody calm and shut everybody up because, obviously, they've been told how long he's there. I'd be surprised if he was there for another two seasons, put it this way."

Guardiola has endured a mixed bag of results from his first three Premier League matches this term, leaving City languishing in 13th place in the table. Their campaign began with a thumping 4-0 triumph over Wolves on the opening weekend, before a 2-0 loss against Thomas Frank's rejuvenated Spurs and a 2-1 loss to Brighton heading into the international break.

City are now gearing up for the first Manchester derby of the season, as they prepare to host Manchester United on Sunday. With Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, already six points ahead, City will be hoping to ignite their title chase in a spectacular fashion when they take on the Red Devils.

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