PEP GUARDIOLA has taken a step out of the firing line following Manchester Citys two-year Uefa ban.
The Etihad chief would normally have been facing the media on Tuesday afternoon ahead of this weeks rearranged match against West Ham.
But City confirmed on Monday there would be no pre-match press conference with the manager this time.
It would have been the first time Pep has spoken publicly since the shock decision was handed down on Friday evening.
However there is no obligation from the Premier League for either manager to take questions from the media on this occasion.
Both Guardiola and Hammers boss David Moyes fulfilled their media duties on the Friday before the game was originally due to be played 10 days ago.
So each has decided not to do another one as no more matches have been played in the meantime.
City sources insist that Guardiola was never going to do a press conference as there was no contractual obligation and that it had nothing to do with Fridays announcement.
But the former Barcelona coach may well be relieved he has the option as he would undoubtedly have faced a barrage of questions about the UEFA action.
It led to speculation he could walk away in the summer if there is no European football to look forward.
However he has told pals he plans to stay at least until the end of his contract which runs until summer 2021.
He has allegedly told his players: “Whatever league we are in, I will still be here. Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here.
“This is a time for sticking together.”
