"I want to stay," says Guardiola despite worst Man City season

Manchester City's turbulent season went completely south following their 6-2 defeat to Real Madrid on aggregate, which condemned them to an early exit from the Champions League. With no European football and no Premier League title to challenge for, as they sit 17 points away from leaders Liverpool, the Sky Blues only have domestic cup competitions to play for this season.
It is the third time in four campaigns that City have been knocked out of the Champions League by the Spanish giants, but it is the first time since Guardiola joined in 2016 that the English champions have failed to reach the last 16. As for the Premier League, the former Barcelona's boss hopes for a fifth consecutive title are far from gone, with Champions League qualification becoming the main target now.
Guardiola would've surely envisioned different goals for his side when he signed a two-year extension with Man City in November. Having won 13, drawn 5 and lost 7 of the 25 matches played in the English top flight so far, the Catalan will have to fight until the end for a top-four finish as Bournemouth (43), Chelsea (43) and Newcastle (41) all sit close by in the standings, with City (44) occupying the remaining qualifying spot.
Nevertheless, Guardiola reiterated once again his intention to stay at the Etihad. "I want to stay and continue at Manchester City. That’s my plan for sure," the former Barcelona manager told 'Movistar' following Wednesday night's 3-1 loss at the Bernabeu. “Am I convinced about that? Yes, yes, yes," he concluded.
But while that is the 54-year-old's objective right now, the Citizens are reportedly preparing for an eventual departure should things continue in this direction. According to 'the Telegraph', Man City have given Guardiola complete freedom to decide on his future at the Etihad and if he were to quit, the club would not stand in his way.