Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester City of the potential dangers of leaving Pep Guardiola’s future as manager in doubt.
Guardiola will be out of contract at the end of the season and hasn’t committed to an extension amid reports of interest from old club Barcelona.
The Catalan coach intends to see how the current campaign plays out before settling terms on his future at Manchester City. But he has assured reporters that his days as Barcelona manager are over.
Pep Guardiola says he will NEVER return to Barcelona! 😵 pic.twitter.com/pBf3QSqNxh
— Goal (@goal) October 31, 2020
But while club supporters can breathe easy on that one, Ferdinand had a word of warning for the Citizens.
The Manchester United legend noted how the uncertainty of Guardiola’s future could cause City to miss out on transfer targets.
“I was never really in that position as a player – obviously Sir Alex Ferguson was always fully committed and wore his heart on his sleeve in that respect,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“But Pep is a different animal, a different character and what is more important is what he is relaying to the players. I think if he’s speaking to the players and he’s filling them with confidence, then it’s okay.
“But the big problem with the club in the wider picture will be recruitment because if they’re talking to potential players that they’re trying to get hold of in January or the following window, if I’m that player I’m saying: ‘I’m only coming if Pep’s there,’ or: ‘I want to know who’s going to be next in charge before I make my decision and commit.’
“The bigger picture is probably the bigger question but I think his history suggests that he does make late decisions on his contracts and where he wants to go. Man City will probably know that and be very well aware of that.
“Who wouldn’t want that guy in their dugout?”
Guardiola is known for not overstaying his welcome at clubs, having spent no longer than four years in charge of one side and will have reached the end of his fourth year at the Etihad Stadium in June 2021.
But the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has insisted that he remains ‘incredibly happy’ at City and would be open to staying.
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