Guardiola could stay at City beyond 2023

MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that he could stay at the club for another “five years,” apparently backtracking on comments he made this week at a Brazilian business forum.

The 50-year-old Spaniard, who joined City in 2016, told Brazilian investors on Wednesday that he would need a break when his contract ends in 2023, saying his next step would be to take charge of a national team.

Guardiola moved to clarify those remarks, pointing out he merely said he will take a break from the game when he eventually does leave the Premier League champions.

“I am not thinking to leave after two years,” he said according to AP. “I can leave in two months if the results aren´t good or the organization isn´t happy with me. I can leave in three months or five years.

“What I said is after my period at City I will take a break,” he continued.

“It can be in one month, two years, five years. Right now, I don´t have reasons to leave.”

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, said that the UEFA Champions League holders are still in the market for new players despite spending a club record £97 million on Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian star impressed when scoring his first goal for his new club in the 2-0 win over Arsenal last Sunday to make it two wins from two Premier League matches.

However, with French central defender Kurt Zouma close to securing a reported £25 million ($34 million) move to London rivals West Ham, Tuchel said the club was in talks over bringing in other players before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday.

“I will be completely honest, there are negotiations between West Ham and Chelsea about Kurt,” said Tuchel.

“Kurt right now is not with us but not because of these negotiations.

“He’s had some personal and family issues and we allowed him to travel to France.”

Tuchel’s West Ham counterpart David Moyes claimed the offer had been accepted and Zouma would be undergoing the medical in France.

“We have had an offer accepted from Chelsea for Kurt but I could not tell you if the medical has been completed yet,” Moyes said.

Should Zouma pass his medical and move, Chelsea is believed to be interested in signing Zouma’s compatriot Jules Kounde from La Liga side Sevilla as his replacement.

“We still have some ideas and we are trying,” said Tuchel according to AFP.

“And not all decisions are taken regarding also our squad. There are some negotiations going on and we are aware of all the situations.”