The Premier League winners announced on Thursday that Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has agreed to a two-year contract extension that would keep him with the team until 2027.
With this decision, Spaniard Guardiola will stay at the team he joined in 2016 for almost ten years, which has produced a stunning collection of awards, including six Premier League crowns and one Champions League title.
City supporters, who may have worried that Guardiola’s tenure was coming to an end because his current contract expires at the end of this season, will be happy to hear the news.
“Manchester City means so much to me,” the 53-year-old, who previously had successful spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, said in a statement.
“This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together.
” I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
Since joining City, which is controlled by Abu Dhabi, in 2016, Guardiola has transformed the team into a trophy-winning machine.
He has led City to eighteen major championships and created a football brand that is revered all over the world.
They have lost four straight games, the most since Guardiola took over, and their form has somewhat decreased this season.
“I felt I could not leave now, simple as that,” the manager added.
“I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, a chance to bounce back and try to turn the situation around.
“I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth.
“I enjoy being here. I like being the manager of this club.
“The moment I will not have that feeling, even under contract, I will ring my chairman and CEO and say the best for the club right now is I have to leave,” he added.
“I don’t have that feeling right now and that’s why I extended a little bit longer.”
“Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City will continue; allowing his dedication, passion, and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game,” was the statement released by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our Club, and the English game at large.”
The club, which is being investigated for more than 100 alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations during a nine-year period, will benefit greatly from Guardiola’s term, which will now last more than ten years, according to British media on Wednesday.
The city disputes every accusation made against them.
Although they trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by five points, Guardiola made a positive statement.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much,” he said.
“Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
