Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not struggle after his exit like Manchester United in post-Ferguson era

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Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will not struggle after his departure in a similar manner to Manchester United's post-Sir Alex Ferguson woes. Having won six Premier League titles at the Etihad since 2016, speculation has increased that the Catalan could soon leave. But he insisted the club will be in a stable position for prolonged success after his eventual departure.

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Pep Guardiola does not expect Manchester City to struggle after his departure from the club, unlike Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

The City boss has won six Premier League titles at the club, as well as four Carabao Cups, two FA Cup titles and a UEFA Champions League.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, there has been incessant talk surrounding the Spaniard's future. Guardiola has refused to be drawn one way or the other, admitting that he could soon pursue a new challenge.

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But he has insisted City will not have a barren spell, like rivals United post-Ferguson, when he moves on to pastures new.

“I don’t know what happened [at United],” Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday. “I am pretty sure that [stability] is going to happen [here].

"I know how it works. It will be a bad sign for the club if after just one person leaves everything is dragged down. It [stability] is going to happen, for sure.

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"Maybe they [the executive] will make mistakes, but during the mistakes they will solve it. Immediately, that is for sure. The guys know exactly what they have to do."

Txiki Begiristain confirmed he will leave his role as City's sporting director at the end of the current campaign, with Hugo Viana set to replace him.

Guardiola has reassured fans that personnel changes will not prove a major disruption.

“When it is going bad they [City owners] will find the solutions immediately," he added. "They will be patient, calm and know what they have to do.

"Absolutely, I don’t have doubts about that. With Txiki for 12 years and in my case, it is normal that it looks like we cannot leave, but of course we can move on. Life moves on. The earth continues around.”

The City boss went on to confirm Kevin De Bruyne's continued absence with a muscular problem ahead of the Premier League clash with Southampton.

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And with the aging status of City's squad, as well as the numerous injury issues including the torn ACL suffered by star midfielder Rodri, Guardiola said "the club has to be ready" for an important summer of recruitment next year.

“It’s a good question for Hugo Viana and Txiki," he said. "Every summer there is something, the club has to be ready. You pretend now everything is fine, young squad, and then two or three players knock the door and say: ‘I want to leave, I don’t play, I’m not happy here.’

"And of course there are players with certain ages and we have to see what will happen. I give my opinion but it is a question for sporting directors.”

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