Nathan Ake issues words of doubt over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future

Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake has issued words of doubt over the longer-term future of manager Pep Guardiola beyond the end of next season.

The defender has become a mainstay for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, helping the Blues to a landmark treble last season and proving crucial during the club’s current defence of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Ake has won eight trophies since signing from Bournemouth for £41 million in 2020, and scored an historic goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month, as City progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory.

The 28-year-old has improved under the management of Guardiola, although the current campaign is potentially the 53-year-olds penultimate at the Etihad Stadium, with his current contract expiring in 2025.

Guardiola has recently hinted at further extending his stay at Manchester City in light of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s shock decision to quit the Merseyside club at the end of the season.

Speaking to ITV News this week, Ake publicly indicated his own personal desire to see Guardiola continue even longer as Manchester City manager, but admitted that there is doubt over what decision could be made in the coming months.

“Everyone hopes that,” Ake responded when asked whether Pep Guardiola could extend his Manchester City contract beyond the summer of 2025. He continued, “But who knows what he’s going to do.”

But how could Nathan Ake acclimatise to the arrival of a new coach at the Etihad Stadium, should Pep Guardiola ultimately decide to call an end on his nine-year stay in the Premier League.

“He has been there so long, I have been here also already three and a half years already,” Ake replied. “It goes quick, but this is football, so you never know how it goes.”

Ake, who rejected the opportunity to return to Chelsea in favour of remaining at the Etihad Stadium, has made 84 starts under the management of Guardiola since signing for Manchester City.

The Dutchman has already made 29 appearances for the Sky Blues this season, and is set to make his 30th against Everton on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.