Pep Guardiola hinted after the Champions League draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening that he might stay at Manchester City after all.
The Spanish team went into the showdown hoping to make a statement as they aim to win the competition for the second time after 2021.
But Inter deserved the draw, as Simone Inzaghi’s team fought throughout the game and earned a crucial point.
Guardiola’s current contract with City expires next summer. The club would like to extend it – but ultimately will not put any pressure on the best coach in its history.
Man City news: Pep Guardiola has hinted he could stay at the Etihad Stadium after his side’s Champions League draw with Inter Milan
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Guardiola is widely expected to leave City after being at the helm of the club since 2016.
Now, however, he has hinted that he might end up staying, making clear his love for English football.
“I love Italy but I really enjoy being here,” he said. “I love English football. It’s fantastic, I really enjoy it.”
“They leave you alone so you can do your work. You don’t get that anywhere else.”
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“This is a great club, I feel really comfortable here. I’m happy to be here.”
One player who struggled to make an impression for City in the draw against Inter was Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian international has been in stunning form in the Premier League this season, scoring nine goals in four games.
On Wednesday, however, he was weak and could only record one shot and 14 ball contacts in the entire game.
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But Guardiola defended Haaland, saying: “There were six players around him, three behind him, three in front of him.”
“That makes it difficult for every player.
“We tried to use the space, so (Ilkay) Gündogan had a few chances.
“I knew Inter would play like that. You have to give them credit for that. We created some really clear chances but didn’t score.”
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Meanwhile, Inter Milan head coach Inzaghi was proud of his team’s performance.
“They worked well together,” said the Italian. “We knew who we were going to face. But they did very well.”
“We could have been a little more consistent in some situations.
“And then we had to suffer a bit in the second half. But even then we had chances with Darmian and Mkhitaryan where we could have done better.”
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City’s next game is on Sunday (4:30 p.m.) in the decisive Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Inter, on the other hand, will face its arch-rival AC Milan on the same day (19:45).
