Midfielder Cesc Fabregas has issued a warning to Manchester City about the potential decline the club could face if manager Pep Guardiola departs due to fatigue in the near future.
"The future of Manchester City depends on two things: how hungry the players are after winning all the titles, and above all, Pep Guardiola," Fabregas stated after the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter on June 10th. "How long will he stay? I see him very tired."
However, according to Fabregas, Guardiola will remain with Manchester City for at least one more season. The Spanish coach aims to defend the three titles the team recently won: the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Guardiola is known for his tendency to leave clubs voluntarily. During his tenure at Barcelona, he renewed his contract on a yearly basis. In 2012, after winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, Guardiola decided to take a one-year sabbatical, despite efforts from the club's leadership to convince him to stay.
In 2016, after his contract with Bayern Munich expired, he moved to Manchester City. The club never had to pay a transfer fee or compensate for Guardiola's contract.
Guardiola has won a total of 14 trophies with Barcelona and Manchester City. He could add two more titles with Manchester City if they defeat Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on August 6th and Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on August 16th. With Bayern Munich, Guardiola won seven trophies.
Further records await Guardiola in the upcoming season. If Manchester City secures the Premier League title in 2023-2024, they will become the first team to win it four times in a row. Additionally, successfully defending the Champions League title would equal Carlo Ancelotti's record of winning the competition four times.
In the Champions League final on June 10th, Manchester City emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Inter. Midfielder Rodri scored the lone goal in the 68th minute. Guardiola secured his third Champions League title, matching the achievements of Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane. The 52-year-old coach also set a record by winning the treble with two different clubs.
Following the victory over Inter, Guardiola jokingly remarked that Manchester City is "only" 13 trophies behind Real Madrid. He expressed hope that Real Madrid would have a dormant period, allowing Manchester City to catch up.
Guardiola previously managed Fabregas during the 2011-2012 season at Barcelona. The two won a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup together.
