Pep Guardiola dropped his biggest hint yet that he is ready to commit his future to Manchester City.
Guardiola, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was in buoyant mood after Erling Haaland ’s injury-time penalty took the champions to the top of the Premier League.
The City boss was delighted about the way his team ground out a victory despite playing with 10 men for over an hour following Joao Cancello’s red card.
Guardiola has always said that he will stay at the Etihad as long as his players continue to believe in his methods and fight for the City cause.
And he said: “Your emotions as a manager, after seven years here, you always have doubts whether the people will still follow you or are tired.
“We have thousands of meetings and so many travels.
“But then you see today and you think ‘wow, still they want to do it and they are alive.
“It makes me so, so proud. Everyone was exceptional. We didn’t win the Premier League today, of course.
“But these moments, when you see the faces in the crowd, that make your job feel so good.”
City are expected to speak to Guardiola about his future plans during the World Cup.
Haaland’s 23rd goal of the season took his team back above Arsenal at the Premier League summit after Kevin De Bruyne capped a brilliant performance by winning the penalty.
Haaland, who came on as a substitute just after the hour after missing the last two games with an ankle problem, admitted: “I was really nervous. But I don't care how it went in. It is about it going in.
“I was one week out - and finally I am back. What an amazing feeling.”
