Pep Guardiola press conference: Man City vs Everton

Guardiola confirmed Rodri who will not be ready for tomorrow, and added: “I don’t know when he will be back”.

Fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic can play “maybe 50 or 60 minutes”, stressing the importance that he returns step by step.

Elsewhere in the squad, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are both close to a return.

He said that Jack Grealish’s impact on loan at Everton has been “massive,” noting his forward is “back to real business” on Merseyside. He added that he spoke with Grealish as he left City, but has not spoken to him since.

He also said that this is the “best shape” he has seen Erling Haaland in: “His performance levels are outstanding. But you cannot sustain this level always. When he is going to drop, we will be there. We just have to sustain his levels.”

On whether he is ready for a break from management: “In 2035, I will start to think about it.”

More on the longevity of the Man City project: “We are not the same from when we started and there are many reasons for it. The relationship I have with the club officials is so, so close. It’s not just about me – you know many people including my backroom staff have left. Everyone has their preferences and desires. But now I am still here in front of you.”

Finally, he is encouraged by the performances City have put in so far during 2025-26: “I see things that we are doing much better than last season and in every game, we are a little bit better. There is the margin that we can do better in many aspects and that gives me the energy that it’s not job done. It’s completely unfinished business. That’s why I am here.”