Sport Guardiola denies suggestions that talks over new City deal have begun

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Pep Guardiola insisted that inactivity over a new contract will have no bearing on Manchester City's performances this season.

Guardiola, whose deal runs out in June, denied suggestions that he had opened negotiations with the club's hierarchy over an extension on Friday.

The Catalan is yet to commit either way and wants to gauge how his squad are reacting to his methods over the coming weeks before deciding on his next move.

© Provided by Daily Mail Man City manager Pep Guardiola insists he has not started negotiations over a new deal

© Provided by Daily Mail Guardiola wants to gauge how his squad react to his methods before deciding his future

Asked whether players' mentalities could alter with added stability, Guardiola said: 'Absolutely not. They want to play well every single game.

Pep still agonises over City's shock Champions League exit by Lyon

Guardiola has yet to take this team beyond the last eight in the competition and, although the fallout of the Lyon game remains a sore point, he talked up their chances this season. © Provided by Daily Mail ‘Lyon was a tough moment, I felt so responsible,’ Guardiola said. ‘Everyone fought to achieve it and I still feel so responsible.‘We have to accept the reality that we weren’t good enough. Everyone has to dream with high expectations.‘We have to accept it with humility. Accepting is the best way to improve. I felt so bad for the players. It’s a new chance now, a new opportunity.

Pep Guardiola 's current Manchester City contract expires at the end of the 2018-19 season and the club hierarchy want to tie him down to But the former Barcelona coach insists negotiations have not yet begun . Pep Guardiola insists he has not yet entered discussions over extending his contract.

Pep Guardiola rushed over to Raheem Sterling at the final whistle in the Manchester derby. City have earned the right to play and enjoy their dominance. But the stepovers riled Juan Mata and he is a reasonable man. Those on the pitch can tell when it is a step over too far.

'When they are on the pitch they do absolutely everything with one manager or another one, because they are incredible professional. Nothing changes, absolutely not.'

Guardiola has never led a team into a fifth season and City hope he will remain in charge for an unprecedented sixth. The 49-year-old jovially batted away enquiries on his future ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham United.

'I feel sure it's bright,' he laughed. 'I go to London tomorrow - what is better than this? I can think of many things through the day. We've played well the last three games, we want to continue like this, knowing the problems we have.

'We had an incredibly tough game against Porto, we continue in this rhythm and try to be close to teams at the top.'

© Provided by Daily Mail The 49-year-old coach batted away enquiries about his future ahead of the West Ham clash

City are attempting to keep pace in the Premier League while suffering with injuries. Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy are all missing on Saturday, with questions marks over a number of others.

Guardiola admits Man City face battle to place themselves in Premier League title picture

Pep Guardiola has been surprised by some of the Premier League results this term and says the pandemic is having an influence on football.The likes of Everton and Aston Villa have made fast starts and teams such as City are now entering hectic schedules with the Champions League and Europa League group stages under way.

City 's record goalscorer limped off shortly before half-time during Monday's Premier League victory over Burnley at the Etihad and now faces surgery that Ilkay Gundogan emerges as a shock striker option for Pep Guardiola as the Manchester City boss reveals Sergio Aguero will have surgery on his

lkay Gundogan's Manchester City future is in doubt after manager Pep Guardiola revealed movement has stalled over the a new contract for the midfielder. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract at the end of next season. Manager Pep Guardiola wants him to extend his stay at Manchester City .

There was better news on Fernandinho's muscle injury picked up on Wednesday, with scan results revealing the Brazilian should be back in contention after next month's international break.

'I love to play and watch football but the schedule is too much, it's too much. I know the business but it's too much for the players,' Guardiola added.

© Provided by Daily Mail Scans revealed that Fernandinho should be back after November's international break

'To sell a better product you have to go for quality. I know what's going to happen. The calendar is more difficult but it's too much for the teams who play in Europe - maybe the others it's less.

'I'd love to play a lot of games but after take a break for two months, protect the players, relax the minds, but now we have to start again. It's pre-season, Community Shield and that's why players get injured, it's normal. You just pray everyone finishes the game.

'It's a crazy situation. They want to create new things [competitions] and always it's the same, two or three weeks a year to rest. All the teams in Europe have this problem. The schedule is completely crazy for everyone.'