Pep Guardiola tipped to be 'extremely disappointed' after 'game-changer' Man City leak
Ciaran McCarthy
Gary Neville feels Pep Guardiola will be "extremely disappointed" at the leak of him leaving Manchester City at the weekend, in what he described on Sky Sports as "game-changer" news.
Arsenal beat Burnley on Monday night to take one step closer to the Premier League title. They now have a five-point gap on City, who have two games to play compared to the Gunners' one, with the next on Tuesday night, against Bournemouth.
The timing of news that Guardiola might be about to hang up his hat in the City changing room has come at an awful time, then. Indeed, as Arsenal were playing against Burnley, Neville and Peter Drury discussed news breaking in the media that the City boss would be stepping away.
The Manchester outfit are yet to confirm the news, but most major media outlets have cottoned onto it, suggesting this week will be Guardiola's last in English management.
Neville was stunned at the timing of the information leak, suggesting City would never have wanted it to come out at such a crucial point in the season.
He said: "I'm surprised that it's broken right now. Not just because it's during this match but it's the night before a Man City game. Something like that is game-changer news.
"I think of being in school and the news of Kenny Dalglish leaving Liverpool, or Sir Alex Ferguson leaving Man Utd and Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool recently.
"They're just such huge moments in football, and I don't see it's news Man City would let get out or would want out. If it is true, Man City will be extremely disappointed that has broken now and so will Pep Guardiola."
Fabrizio Romano confirms Guardiola news
On Tuesday night, insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news that Guardiola would be stepping away from City, stating the boss has informed the club of his decision and an official statement will soon follow.
The suggestion is that the news will become official on Sunday, with a trophy parade for the titles City have scooped this season happening on Monday, giving fans the chance to say goodbye to the boss.
Meanwhile, the only name linked with the City job for some time has been Enzo Maresca, and Romano has confirmed that he's going to be taking the job after Guardiola, with a deal in place for him to sign a three-year contract.
