Manchester City have confirmed that manager Josep Guardiola has agreed a new two-year contract extension.
The 53-year-old’s previous contract with City was due to expire at the end of this season.
The new deal will see the Spaniard join City in the summer of 2016 and keep him at the club’s helm for more than 10 years.
Guardiola, who won 18 trophies during his time at the Etihad, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League, had considered leaving at the end of the season, but City’s recent four-game losing streak was partly a factor. I admitted that it was. His decision to extend his stay at the club.
“I’ve been thinking a lot since the season started and there were a few moments where I thought this should be the last time, to be honest, because everyone does…” he told the club’s website. spoke.
“But at the same time, when this situation came around and given the problems we had in the last month, I felt it was not the time to leave. I would be letting the club down and I felt I had to do it. I felt it.
“Don’t ask me why. I felt I couldn’t leave, probably because of the four losses. I felt like the club still needed me, or the fact that we were together. That’s why we signed.”
“Manchester City means a lot to me. It’s my ninth season here and we’ve had a lot of great times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. I have
“That’s why I’m so happy to be staying for two more seasons.
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Kabe Solgekor feels Josep Guardiola has everything Manchester City needs after signing a two-year contract extension.
“I would like to thank everyone who has always believed in me and continued to support me, the owners, President Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone associated with Manchester City. It is always an honor. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be here.
“I have said many times before that I have everything the manager wants and I am very grateful for that. “Hopefully I can add more trophies to the ones I have won so far. That will be my focus.”
Speculation over Guardiola’s future had been mounting for months after the club announced that director of football Txiki Begiristain would step down at the end of the season.
Guardiola’s long-time ally Begiristain will be replaced by former Newcastle player and Sporting player Hugo Viana.
Resolving the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s position could avoid further turmoil next summer, when the club is also due to take part in the Club World Cup.
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The Athletic’s Sam Lee explains why Manchester City fans are getting excited as news of Guardiola’s contract extension prepares to be announced
The news arrives at a key juncture in City’s season. Plagued by injuries, the champions’ form has fluctuated of late, with the team losing their last four competitive games, the worst result of Guardiola’s career.
It has also been a tough season off the field, with the club facing 115 charges for breaching Premier League rules following an investigation into their finances.
Guardiola replaced Manuel Pellegrini at City eight years ago after successful spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak expressed his delight at the manager’s decision to stay in Manchester for another two years.
He said on the club’s website: “Like all City fans, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City continues. “His dedication, passion and innovative thinking will continue to shape the landscape of the game. “It makes it possible,” he said.
“His hunger to improve and succeed remains insatiable and our players and coaching staff, our club’s culture and the English game in general continue to benefit directly from this.
“This renewal provides Pep with the opportunity to continue breaking managerial records, extending his 10-year coaching career at Manchester City.”
“Pep felt it was not the right time to leave Man City.”
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Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom details why Guardiola extended his contract with Manchester City after hinting he would leave last season
Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom:
“I think the timing of this news was surprising, as we felt as the season progressed Pep was more likely to stay.
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Backpage Tonight’s team discusses news that Guardiola could sign contract extension
“This is his ninth season, so he’s not going to do nine more seasons, and of course he’s not. He had a lot to think about.
“His family is still in Catalonia and Barcelona, so it would have been a big attraction to bring him back to Spain. But at the same time there is work and the club that he really loves.
“And Pep has a loyalty to Manchester City. That’s what we’ve seen. He obviously loves this job. He loves the challenge of winning the Premier League. ”
“And I think that’s what made him want to stay, especially his good friendship with Txiki Begiristain. We know he will leave at the end of the season.”
“We know that Hugo Viana will take on this kind of sporting director and director of football role. It’s a new relationship. It’s a new era. It’s a new challenge. And Pep feels different by leaving now. The club are not doing the right thing. they need him.
“They need someone they can trust and looking at his record, of course they can rely on Pep.”
