Pep Guardiola claims he "would love to stay longer" at Manchester City but must earn the right.
The City manager is now in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and speculation over his future is likely to grow until the matter is resolved one way or the other.
With City having won six major trophies, including two Premier League titles, since Guardiola arrived at City in 2016, there seems little doubt the club would wish to extend the inspirational Catalan's tenure.
Yet Guardiola – who seemed similarly unconcerned as he entered the last 12 months of his previous deal – does not sense any urgency and, besides, feels he still has work to do to convince the club.
The 49-year-old said: "I would love to stay longer here. It is a place I love to be but I have to deserve it.
"This club achieved (high) standards in the last decade but we have to maintain that.
"The guys who are going to play below the five or six teams that people suggest are the stronger have the same problem. They have games every three days.
"We have to protect the players and with five substitutions we protect the players, but I don't decide these kind of situations."
Guardiola has also confirmed Fernandinho would be the team's new captain following a vote by players and backroom staff.
He said: "He will be good. He is always a guy who leads in the bad moments."