Manchester City hero Paul Dickov feels his old side will have a ‘contingency’ plan in place should Pep Guardiola leave the club next summer.
The Spaniard has been in charge of City ever since 2016, with the 53-year-old turning the team into a trophy-winning machine in the years since.
After guiding City to a fourth league title on the trot back in May, Guardiola hinted he could leave the club next summer.
His contract is due to expire in 2025 and, as things stand, he’s yet to enter talks over a new deal.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium is up in the air as the start of the new Premier League season looms
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Big clubs have found it difficult to replace top managers over the years.
Manchester United are yet to win a Premier League title, or compete for one, since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
And Arsenal have lifted just one piece of silverware since Arsene Wenger stepped down six years ago.
Dickov believes Guardiola has earned the right to walk away when he feels like it due to his impressive body of work in Manchester.
And the striker also feels City will have a ‘contingency plan’ in place should the Spaniard decide to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
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“I hope he extends his contract,” he exclusively told GB News via Turnkey Sportsbook.
“I saw him pre season and he looks refreshed and ready to go again, he was full of joy in training and has fire in his belly to win again.
“He has earned the right to leave on his terms so I think he will inform the City ownership as and when he is ready to sign again or leave.
“I believe they will have a contingency if he goes.”
City already have one trophy in the bank this season.
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They beat Manchester United on penalties to win the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday.
Dickov was pleased with how City performed and thinks they’ll get even better when the likes of Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden are back in the squad.
“The performance by City was what we expected,” he continued.
“Plenty of the ball and giving squad players the chance to perform on a big stage like Wembley.
“With Rodri, Walker, Stones and Foden not in the squad, you expected a drop off from the quality of total dominance with the ball.
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Man City hero Paul Dickov believes Pep Guardiola has earned the right to leave when he sees fit
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“It is excellent for these squad players to get game time as it is a long season and most will have a big season ahead with City challenging on every front.
“I don’t see it as Manchester United improving, but credit to them for the way they performed.”
Erling Haaland was surprisingly subdued over the weekend.
There remains a trail of thought that more could be coaxed from the Norway international, despite his remarkable exploits in front of goal.
But Dickov has no concerns about Haaland and expects the striker to score more goals this season.
Man City hero Paul Dickov has backed Erling Haaland to deliver this season
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“He thrives on the criticism. As you say, he is a goalscoring machine,” he added.
“27 Premier League goals last season and some say he didn’t have a good season.
“With so much talent behind him with [Bernardo] Silva, [Oscar] Bobb, [Jeremy] Doku, [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Jack] Grealish and Rodri, Haaland will once again score plenty and help City to another successful season.”