Pep Guardiola says that HE will decide when he leaves Manchester City, after claims the club have spoken to Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea and Maresca parted company on Thursday and one of the reasons cited was that the Italian had informed them of discussions with City associates.
Guardiola has 18 months to run on his contract but there has been talk in the game of this being his last season, with Maresca among those touted as his successor.
But the Spaniard has hit back, suggesting that his salary is far too great for anyone other than him to call time on his decade at the Etihad.
‘You want to fire me?’ said Guardiola, when asked about Maresca’s City talks and the possibility of him leaving in the summer. ‘My salary is so high, so I have one more year. So…’
Does he intend to be in charge next season?
‘Oh my god,’ began the City boss. ‘I have a contract, I've said it a thousand million times. I know you are bored of me, 10 years here. You want (me to leave)? Yeah, I'm pretty sure of that.
‘You know, I will leave one day. I promise. I promise. But I have a contract. I'm happy, I want to fight with my team. The hierarchy respect me. They proved it last season with what happened in this club, that we didn't win one game in two, three months. They support me.
'So what can I do? I want to try and do it (next season), but maybe one day, I don't know. But I have one more year (on my) contract. I like to be here, so we will see. We will see. I've said it a thousand million times about that.’
Guardiola winked and added: ‘But my credibility is zero, right?’
City host Chelsea on Sunday and, of Maresca’s exit - his former assistant boss - Guardiola said: ‘Only I can say that Chelsea, I think from my point of view, lose an incredible, incredible manager. Incredible person. But it's a decision from the hierarchy from Chelsea, so (I have) nothing to say.’
Guardiola also says he has no knowledge of Maresca’s talks with City, but did confirm he would reach out to his friend in the coming days.
‘No idea,’ he said when pressed on the subject. 'You have, I'm pretty sure, more info than me. It's just a rumour. So, I'm sorry, I'm not going to answer that.’