Bayern Munich have said they will not pressure Pep Guardiola to sign a new contract but hope to open talks over an extension later this year.
Guardiola is under contract with Bayern until 2016 and, while CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had said late last year he was keen to prolong his stay, the former Barcelona boss was swift to tell reporters he had no plans to pen a new deal at that stage.
ESPN FC's Raphael Honigstein reported earlier this month that those in charge at Bayern are secretly bracing for his departure at the end of the 2016 season, but Rummenigge said the Bundesliga champions are willing to take a patient approach over the matter.
Rummenigge, speaking to Catalan newspaper Ara, said he had told Guardiola: "We will not bother you about extending the contract in the upcoming months. We will not do anything until the summer, and then we maybe talk in the second half of 2015."
Guardiola showed a preference for short-term deals during his time with Barcelona, and Rummenigge said: "He can stay as long as he wants.
"Pep is not someone who needs security. He does not a five-year contract to know just how much money he earns at Bayern. That's not Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola lives for the present, and I accept that."
Guardiola joined Bayern in 2013 following a sabbatical year in New York, winning the domestic double in his first season.
He had also been linked with clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and AC Milan before opting to take charge of the German club.