There are reports in Spain that Manchester City are already preparing for life after boss Pep Guardiola, who could even depart the club next summer.

Diario AS cite reports from England which claim the Premier League champions have recognised the cycle is coming to an end and they are planning for the future.

The former Barcelona boss has helped the Manchester club to back-to-back Premier League titles, amassing a remarkable 198 points across those two seasons.

The club won all four domestic trophies on offer last season – including the FA Cup and EFL Cup – but they are 14 points off league leaders Liverpool so far this campaign.

There have been doubts that Guardiola, who is in his fourth season at the Etihad, may decide to leave the club next year if results continue to stagnate, report Football Espana.

The 48-year-old, who previously achieved success at Bayern Munich, will see his current contract expire in the summer of 2021 and has recently indicated he will honour that agreement, should the club wish.

However, the Spaniard stated late last month that he’s “open” to the idea of a new contract with the Premier League outfit.

He said: “I’m so comfortable working with this club.

“When you are [somewhere for] five years it depends on the results. We will see what happens this season and next season.

“I’m open [to it], yes. It is not about what the club wants or not. For me, I want to see my players and the reaction of my players and everything.

“It is not as simple as I want to extend. I want to see the club, I want to see the players, I want to see how we are still working together.

“That is the most important thing after five years together. You have to feel like we can do it together and enjoy to work together.”