Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s former Manchester City colleague Pep Guardiola is expected to step down from his role at the end of the season
Mikel Arteta is set to become the longest-serving manager in each of English football’s top-four divisions following Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City resignation.
It’s been highly speculated for some time that Guardiola could depart the Etihad Stadium this summer with one year left to run on his contract.
Now that proposition looks set to materialise following the conclusion of City’s final two Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, respectively.
Come the start of next season, Guardiola’s departure, plus Harrogate Town’s relegation back to the National League, will see Arteta become the longest-serving boss in the Football League.
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He re-joined the Gunners as head coach on December 20, 2019 and has driven Arsenal towards Premier League and Champions League glory after winning the FA Cup in his debut season.
Arteta will also be a full 10 months ahead of the next longest-serving manager, Nigel Clough, of Mansfield Town which is quite the accolade.
Incredibly, Harrogate boss Simon Weaver has been in charge of the Yorkshire-based side since way back in 2009 but next season, they will be playing Non-League football again after being relegated from League Two by a single point.
Additionally, Arteta looks set to continue his Arsenal reign by signing a new contract at the end of the season. A new deal for the Spaniard is the club’s top priority and is still in order, even if the Gunners still fall short in the Premier League and Champions League.
Speaking back in April, Arteta made it clear he did not feel the time was right to discuss his future, stating: “There is no news on that. We don’t have time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season.”
The Arsenal head coach was also asked for his reflections on Guardiola’s departure following his side’s 1-0 win over Burnley but Arteta refused to discuss the speculation, stating: “I cannot comment on that. I think the day that he makes the decision to stay or leave, then we can comment.”
City are expected to confirm Guardiola’s exit before their final day game against Aston Villa.
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