Pep Guardiola insisted he had not made a decision about his Manchester City future and refused to get drawn into speculation that he had been approached about the England job.
Guardiola’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the 53-year-old is yet to reach a new agreement with the Premier League champions.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach will also lose a key ally behind the scenes at City with Txiki Begiristain, the club’s director of football, due to leave his position at the end of the current campaign.
Speculation has mounted in the week when goalkeeper Ederson suggested the club had already lined up Guardiola’s replacement.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has been linked with the post, but Guardiola insisted he has still not made his final decision on whether he will extend his stay at the Etihad beyond this summer.
‘I have to decide. I have not taken a decision, when I do I will inform you,’ the Spaniard, who has spent nine years at City said. ‘There is no news, I have nothing to add. My concern only is for Wolves.
‘The club have never ever told me [when they want a decision on my future]. I’m pretty sure the club have options when Pep will leave. Sooner or later it will happen and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise.
‘I want to be really convinced it is the best for the club. I will not delay any action thinking it will be a problem for the club. They understand the problems I will have.
‘If the club asks me an opinion [on my successor] I will give them an opinion. But it is not a decision for me. It has to be the club.’
Multiple reports had suggested that England had earmarked Guardiola as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate next summer, speculation that ended when the FA appointed Thomas Tuchel earlier this week.
The Spaniard threw his weight behind the German’s appointment but repeatedly dodged questions on whether he was approached about the role.
‘Thomas Tuchel is the manager, I must congratulate him and the FA. It’s a big job, after nine years here I wish the very, very best for him,’ he said.
Pressed on whether he was approached, Guardiola responded: ‘I’m the manager of Man City, forget about it. The rest is not important.’
City will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season away at Wolves on Sunday, but will likely do so without Kevin de Bruyne and Nathan Ake who are expected to be unavailable.
De Bruyne has missed the last five games with a groin injury, while Ake has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in September while on international duty.
‘I don’t think so. They’re not ready,’ Guardiola said when asked about the duo.
‘They are training they are in the last part [of recovery]. Yesterday Nathan was training with the team so maybe can travel but to start is not ready.’
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