AFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now enters an uncertain 12 months.
And Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to neighbors United was a reminder that this brilliant and unforgettable era will not last forever.
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Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
However, it is very likely that they will also be preparing to say goodbye to coach Pep Guardiola, who brought so much success to the east of Manchester.
However, there could be a verdict on 115 allegations of financial irregularities that have been made against the club by Premier League officials.
The suggestion is that the hearing could begin later this year, but will likely take several months to complete.
The city continues to deny any wrongdoing and is confident it will be cleared by the independent commission.
But football finance expert Stefan Borson told SunSport last year that if they are found guilty “all hell will break loose”.
He claims relegation would be inevitable for the Prem winners if the most serious allegations were proven.
It remains a big “if” because the Premier League’s lawyers have a lot of work to do to make such serious allegations stick.
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But it will continue to cast a cloud over Etihad and whatever City get its hands on until this case is resolved.
Guardiola has always stated that he will not leave his current job until his name is cleared – and coincidentally his contract ends next summer.
When he signed his latest extension in the autumn of 2022 – at the start of the World Cup – the feeling at the club was that it would be his last.
This continues to happen because there has still been no indication from the former Barcelona coach that he wants to go beyond nine years.
Obviously, if he decided he wanted to make a perfect ten – or even better – then his bosses would be delighted.
After winning a fourth title in a row last week, Guardiola admitted he was unsure what else he could achieve in England.
Then again, he felt the same after taking them to the Treble 12 months earlier and finally winning that elusive Champions League trophy.
President Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who enjoys a close relationship with Guardiola, will no doubt be preparing another charm offensive.
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However, those close to the Catalan believe he will call it a day once the 2024-25 season – and the Club World Cup that follows – is over.
This leaves City with a slight concern as they plan to revamp their squad this summer.
Above all, who can fill the shoes of a man who has won six of the last eight Prem titles – not to mention another nine pieces of silverware?
Furthermore, will new players want to sign when they know it can only be one year of Guardiola and then a new coach from August 2025?
Several current stars now weighing up their future at the Etihad may also have a feeling of uncertainty about what the future holds in the long term.
Long-standing midfield duo Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have been linked with moves away from home, as have goalkeepers Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
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Captain Kyle Walker and midfielder Matheus Nunes – whose move from Wolves has so far failed – both have interest from Saudi Arabia and, like most clubs, City may have to generate cash if they are to hand Pep a kit considerable transfer.
They will do some by signing players like João Cancelo, Kalvin Phillips, Yan Couto and James McAtee.
A new midfielder will be on the list, especially if Silva or De Bruyne go. Although the move for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta appears dead after he was hit with FA allegations, which he denies.
Newcastle star Bruno Guimarães is admired but his £100m price tag is likely to be an issue.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain has assured Guardiola that the majority of the current squad, who have served City so well in recent years, wish to remain at the Etihad.
Still, Pep opened the door for several club legends during his reign and will not be afraid to do so again.
Guardiola went on vacation yesterday with a lot to think about.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
