The 65-year-old has seen City soar to their highest ever league finish in 2019/20 - setting a club record for points on their way to second-place on the A-League table and a bye in the first round of the finals.

A significant amount of that turnaround is down to the guidance of Mombaerts, who was brought in by owners City Football Group in order to instil a “City style” and reinvigorate a fanbase dulled by two years of pragmatism under Warren Joyce.

A report from France Football earlier in 2020, however, linked the Frenchman to a move back to his homeland following the 2019/20 season in order to take control of AS Nancy after the League Two club was bought by CFG.

Completion of that sale has yet to be completed though after reports from France indicated the deal at one stage appeared to be off following the impact of COVID-19, but AS Nancy President Jacques Rousselot has since insisted negotiations remain ongoing .

The saga has meant that whispers about Mombaerts's future have never quite dissipated, and the City coach was coy when asked about the rumours on Tuesday.  

“I can't answer this question now,” Mombaerts said. “I just want to finish this season, maybe in a few days or the end of the week and then we'll answer at this time.

“It's not the moment to answer this question, it's not the time to do this. Why? Because we have a game to play, my situation is less important than the game.

“You have to know the situation about coronavirus [France has recently seen an upswing in infections of the virus following the conclusion of its May lockdown].

"It's hard for all, and we have to analyse with calmness and serenity, but we will do this when we finish the season. "