Pep Guardiola is expected to decide on his future as Manchester City manager between December and February, months before his contract expires.

Guardiola’s City tenure began in June 2016 and he ended the last campaign uncertain regarding extending it beyond next summer. The 53-year-old remains unsure and so is minded to take the decision midway through the season, the Guardian understands.

The club executive, led by Khaldoon al-Mubarak, are keen for the Catalan to sign on again but are respectful of Guardiola’s need for time to consider his next move. Guardiola has previously been undecided over how long to stay at City. His inner circle believed his initial three-year deal might be his last. Then, in May 2018, he signed on again until 2021, before, in November 2020, a second extension took him until 2023. This was viewed as almost definitely his final contract but in November of the 2022-23 treble campaign Guardiola agreed to remain until June 2025.

Guardiola is by a wide margin City’s most successful manager, ­having led the club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup. In May, he said: “Even myself, I couldn’t expect to stay here eight years, but everything goes well.”

Whether Guardiola strengthens his squad in the summer window may depend on any outgoings. Ederson, the first-choice goalkeeper, is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, and Bernardo Silva is thought to have a £50m release clause that may attract suitors.