Jamie Carragher believes Manchester City could be motivated by rumours stating Pep Guardiola will be leaving the club this summer.

The Spaniard's current deal expires in June 2027, but reports have emerged pointing towards an early exit for the City boss.

Guardiola has overseen 591 games since arriving at Etihad Stadium in 2016, winning 416 of those matches and lifting 20 trophies.

He led City to their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2023, while he has also won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup.

Guardiola also has the best points-per-game (2.29) and best win percentage (71.2%) of any manager to take charge of at least five games in Premier League history, while he is the only coach to win four consecutive English top-flight titles.

The 55-year-old could win one more league title and sign off with a domestic treble, but his City side must win their last two games and hope Arsenal drop points against Crystal Palace on the final day.

Carragher claimed the news of a potential departure for Guardiola could motivate the City players to pip Arsenal to the Premier League this season.

"I don't suppose Man City or Pep Guardiola can do anything about the timing," the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports.

"They have to let the club know, the next guy coming in, we hear it's [Enzo] Maresca, he'd have to have information about this.

"He would have staff who he'd have to speak to. The closer it gets to the end of the season, there's more people who know. Eventually, it comes out.

"This wouldn't have happened overnight you imagine. It would've been the last few weeks, maybe couple of months. There's just too many people involved for it not to come out in the end.

"I don't think it'd affect City in a negative way. It might make no difference, but if it did affect things I think it would be in a positive way.

"What he's done for these players, what a way to send this man out. Can we go and win a domestic treble for Pep Guardiola, in his last game?"