'I've studied Pep for a while' - Micah Richards reacts to Pep Guardiola's response to exit rumours

Micah Richards was left in no doubt that Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after watching his first response to the rumours on Tuesday night.

Guardiola broke his silence on the speculation in his post-match interview after City had surrendered the Premier League title to Arsenal following a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

News had broken on Monday that Guardiola would leave City at the end of the season after 10 years in charge, irrespective of what happened in the final two games.

City's draw at the Vitality Stadium means that Arsenal are champions with a game to spare, even if they lose and City win on the last day on Sunday, but news that Guardiola is seemingly leaving is arguably an even bigger blow.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola neither confirmed nor denied the rumours, saying he did not think it was appropriate to discuss his future until the season had finished.

"The conversations I've had for many, many years always, from my experience, when you announce whatever you announce during the competition is a bad result," he told Sky Sports.

"So, like you understand, the first person I have to talk to is my chairman. Because both we decide when we finish the season, we will sit and we will talk. Simple as that. And after we will take the decision."

But watching the interview from the studio, Richards was left in no doubt as to what Guardiola's plans are.

"You can see in his demeanour that he's leaving," Richards said.

"I've studied Pep for a while and when he wants to stay, he would just say, 'I'm staying'.

"The fact that he's talking about he's going to have a conversation with the chairman, he's going to have a conversation with his family, it says to me that he's leaving.

"It's a sad day for the Premier League and everyone connected to Manchester City because he's been an absolute great."

Micah Richards says players went against City ethos

Richards also shared his disappointment with the performance of the City players on the night, insisting the game coming so soon after their FA Cup final win was no excuse.

"To see his team go out, I don't want to use the word whimper, but normally the whole ethos of City is fight to the end.

"Yes, they had three games in six days, but they didn't fight to the end. Yes, Haaland got his goal, but you're expecting a little bit more, especially with the players they had on show tonight.

"I just feel like the fans know (about Guardiola leaving) as well. With all the talk yesterday, today, it just feels like he's going to be leaving and I'm absolutely gutted.

"I'm absolutely gutted because what he's done for this club has been nothing short of sensational."

It is widely respected that former Enzo Maresca will be announced as Guardiola's successor, with City required to pay a 'significant sum' to Chelsea, despite the fact he left the club in January.

It has even been reported that Chelsea may launch a legal complaint against City, who are said to have long since lined up Maresca as Guardiola's successor and are accused of having conversations while he was still in place at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian already has a verbal agreement in place and will sign an initial three-year deal at City.