Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that the Premier League champions are well-equipped to cope without him when he eventually leaves the club.
Despite failing to bring any silverware to the Etihad in his maiden 2016-17 campaign, the Spaniard has overseen a trophy-laden few years in Manchester - scooping 11 trophies in total.
Guardiola has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four EFL Cups and two Community Shield crowns at the Etihad, although he is yet to bring the Champions League trophy to Manchester.
The 51-year-old has now taken charge of 361 matches for Man City in all tournaments - winning 267 of them - but his contract is due to expire at the end of next season.
Fears have been raised that a Manchester United-esque downturn could occur at the Etihad after the Guardiola era ends, with the Red Devils still searching for their first Premier League crown since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
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However, Guardiola has no doubts that Man City will continue on their current path of success when he eventually leaves the club, telling reporters: "The club knows exactly what is the next target and the next step.
"There will be zero problems (when I leave). I am 100 per cent convinced about that. They know the strategy. They know what they have to do right now, after the World Cup, next season and then the following seasons. When a club depends on one person they have problems because the club is not solid. It is unstable.
"The foundation of the club is why the team is solid. If the club just depends on Pep then it is not doing really well in this period. If the club depends on one player - like the striker who scores the goals - then that will not be a good team.
"The club are the most important words - and every decision we make is because we are thinking about the club and the day after tomorrow, and for the next years and the future."
With Guardiola's current deal due to run until the summer of 2023, speculation has naturally arisen over the prospect of a new deal for the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.
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In a separate interview with Sky Sports News, Guardiola was asked about possibly extending his stay at the Etihad, but the Catalan coach affirmed that he was only focused on the present.
"My future is the day after tomorrow. I would say my future is lunchtime, I'm starving!" Guardiola joked.
"I learn before when I start to be a manager I think 'oh, next month or next week'. For the years I think why waste energy thinking what's going to happen next season?
"I would enjoy the preparation for United, be part again and try to beat them. If we do, we're happy, if we don't, three days after we have a Champions League game to prepare the other one and this is my job."
Guardiola and Man City will aim to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal back down to one point with victory in Sunday's Manchester derby over the Red Devils.
Ben Knapton
