Pep Guardiola has reportedly agreed on a contract extension with Manchester City which could take his stay at the Etihad to a decade.
According to The Sun, Manchester City are on the verge of extending Pep Guardiola’s contract, with his current deal expiring in 2023. The Catalan manager reportedly has a verbal agreement to remain at the Etihad for another two years with an option of another season included in his new terms.
Manchester City have been a force to be reckoned with since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016. Before that, despite the club’s unending financial resources, they could not forge a team worthy of challenging on all fronts. Since the Catalan’s arrival, they have consistently competed for all trophies.
There were concerns the manager would walk away from the club after his current deal, which expires in 2023. However, there have been multiple hints coming from Guardiola’s side over the willingness to sign an extension with Manchester City. And it seems like he will put pen to paper in the coming days.
Manchester City could offer a two-year extension with an option of a third year, which could take his reign at the Etihad to a decade. It was believed that winning the elusive UEFA Champions League crown could be Guardiola’s final target before calling it quits. But that may not be the case for the Manchester City manager, who would like to develop some exciting talents at the club.
However, with Jurgen Klopp extending his stay at Liverpool, it feels like a matter of time now before Guardiola follows suit and continues the rivalry between the Reds and Manchester City.
The two managers have been cordial in their relationship, with Guardiola recently praising the rivalry and intensity of the two clubs’ battles. The idea is to keep Liverpool and Manchester City competing against each other, which has been fruitful for both teams.
Liverpool and Manchester City are the most successful clubs in England in the last five years, and following Guardiola’s extension, it could continue that way, at least until 2026.
Meanwhile, Guardiola committing to stay at the Etihad could also boost Manchester City’s chances of signing Erling Haaland, as the Norwegian would like to play under the Catalan for a long time. The Premier League champions have been chasing the Borussia Dortmund striker for some weeks, and a move seems to be inching closer.
Guardiola’s extension is good news for Manchester City fans, whose nerves will be eased. They are inching closer to playing in consecutive Champions League finals and remain on top of the charts in the Premier League, with Liverpool just a point behind them.
