Pep Guardiola has dismissed the prospect of Manchester City having a collapse similar to bitter rivals Manchester United if he leaves.
Guardiola has entered the final year of his contract at City and looks set to leave at the end of the season if a new deal is not agreed.
The Spaniard joined the club in 2016, three years after the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson departed United following a trophy-laden stint.
City’s nemesis won 13 Premier League titles with the Scotsman and were a hugely dominant force in English football during his tenure.
However, United haven’t won the league since Ferguson left over a decade ago and have struggled to compete at the top of the table.
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A Guardiola exit from City next summer may see their fortunes change too, but the manager has cast the possibility of this aside.
“I don’t know what happened [at United],” he said via ESPN ahead of City’s clash against Southampton.
“It will be a bad sign for the club if after just one person leaves and everything is dragged down.
“Maybe they will make mistakes, but during the mistakes they will solve it. Then the mistakes will be solved immediately, that is for sure. The guys know exactly what they have to do.”
Guardiola dropped a hint over his City future when he said ‘part of me is leaving’ amid sporting director Txiki Begiristain’s pending exit.
The reigning champions are keen to tie him down to a new deal but there is an increasing feeling that he will leave in 2025.
City goalkeeper Ederson believes the club already have a replacement for Guardiola ‘in mind’ should they part ways.
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It would conclude a glittering era at the Etihad Stadium in which City have won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and various other honours.
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has already been speculated as a potential replacement after previous links to Chelsea and Liverpool.
Guardiola has been crucial in the Manchester power shift to City from United, who are a far cry from their previous glory days.
They are on their fifth permanent managerial appointment since Ferguson left the club, with Erik ten Hag currently in the hotseat.
Two FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and two Community Shields have been won during a period that has seen managers including Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho take charge.
However, a 21st Premier League title remains as a glaring omission from their trophy cabinet alongside another Champions League win.
United may struggle to win silverware this season, too, as they have won just four of their 13 matches in all competitions.
