Pep ‘willing to stay forever’ at City as he rejects Brazil job speculation

Pep Guardiola says he will happily manage Manchester City for the rest of his career as he shut down speculation linking him with the soon-to-be-vacant Brazil job.

With head coach Tite set to step down after the World Cup, reports from Spain earlier this week suggested Brazil have already reached out to Guardiola.

According to Marca, Brazil are willing to pay Guardiola a salary of €12million (£10m) a year through until after the next World Cup in 2026.

However, asked about the rumours on Friday, Guardiola made clear that he cannot see himself managing any side other than City.

“Not today, come on,” he told a news conference.

“I’m under contract here and I’m so happy. I’m willing to stay forever here. There cannot be a better place to be [than City]. 

“I’d extend the contract ten years but I could not extend the contract ten years. Now is not the moment. I don’t know where it’s come from.”

Guardiola was speaking ahead of Sunday’s huge showdown with Premier League title rivals Liverpool, with City holding a one-point lead over Jurgen Klopp’s team.

The ex-Barcelona coach was also questioned about another article published this week, in German outlet Der Spiegel, alleging City are being investigated over illegal payments.

Among other allegations, Der Spiegel reported that City pressured young players “to sign contracts through monetary payments, in violation of the rules”.

City have yet to officially comment on the matter and Guardiola did not want to discuss it any further when probed on the topic.

“It’s come from outside,” he said. “When you understand the important win we had a few days ago [against Atletico Madrid], and the games ahead, I don’t spend one second on it.

“In fact, I have spent 50 seconds talking about it now, so next question.”