Manchester United have sent Man City a clear warning over Pep Guardiola exit

Manchester City fans know that their time to enjoy Pep Guardiola's football is running out.

The manager admitted after winning the Premier League title that he is 'closer to leaving than staying' on beyond 2025 and sources close him expect next season to be his last at the Etihad.

He may yet change his mind and be convinced it is worth a fourth contract extension, but the club cannot afford to be sentimental with succession planning essential to avoid being hit too hard by the inevitable drop-off that will come.

Part of mitigating that has to do with the yin to Guardiola's yang, sporting director Txiki Begiristain. There have been whispers that his days running the recruitment team could also be numbered in what would be another seismic departure for City.

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From their point of view, it would make sense. Begiristain has done his best work with Guardiola because they understand each other so well, so even if Begiristain stays once Guardiola leaves he may not be as effective.

However, from a business perspective it will be difficult enough to lose one of them without losing both at a similar time – and having only recently seen COO Omar Berrada join United. The trio's diligence and excellence in running City has seen them become the best in class for business (yes, pending those charges). It hasn't been in any plan for City to lose three of the five most important people within a couple of years of each other.

There is also recent evidence of when a clean break really didn't work. Losing Sir Alex Ferguson was catastrophic for United in 2013 but it was worsened by the