PEP GUARDIOLA has signed a two-year contract extension to remain manager of Manchester City.
The 53-year-old’s existing deal was due to expire at the end of the season with the club in the midst of a legal battle with the Prem.
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It was previously reported that Guardiola would sign a new rolling one-year extension.
But that is no longer the case, with the legendary Spaniard extending his stay until at least 2027.
The club first teased the announcement with a short, zoomed in clip into the former Barcelona manager’s eye.
Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. 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.
“Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have
already won. That will be my focus.”
It will take his time at the Etihad up to 11 years.
Guardiola joined City back in 2016 following the departure of Manuel Pellegrini.
He has won 18 trophies during his time in English football, including six Premier League titles — second in the all-time list behind former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (13).
But there had been speculation regarding his future in recent weeks amid the club’s legal battle with Prem bosses.
The hearing into City’s alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play has entered it’s 10th week.
City are currently facing 115 charges relating to their financial dealings between 2009 and 2018.
If found guilty, the Prem giants could face a significant punishment.
They may even be expelled from the top division.
But it is understood that Guardiola’s contract will NOT have a break clause.
This means his new deal will not be affected by the outcome of the club’s hearing into the charges and if City were relegated.
However, SunSport understands that it is unlikely that that the Cityzens would be dumped from all competitions despite the rules allowing for it to happen.
With Guardiola agreeing to stay, he will be forced to lead City through the storm of whatever penalty – if any – they receive.
In 2022-23, he helped City become only the second English side after Ferguson’s 1998-99 team to win the Treble — comprising the Prem, FA Cup and Champions League.
Last term his side made history by becoming the first team to win four successive top-flight titles.
The structure of Guardiola’s deal is the same as the contract he signed in November 2020 and November 2022.
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The decision to extend also alleviates any potential problems of a managerial handover during a hectic summer that will see City compete at the Club World Cup in America.
City – second in the table, winless in four, and four points behind leaders Liverpool – return to action at home to Tottenham on Saturday.
Guardiola added: “I felt I could not leave now – simple as that. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why. I felt the club still wanted me.
“Firstly because we won a lot, I feel love. But it’s a business and you have to win. I have a contract but I know if we don’t win I won’t continue.
“The moment it’s done, the club will know it. And at this moment we didn’t feel it.
“Every time I signed the contract I say it’s the last two – and still we are here.
“So honestly myself and my staff, we deserve to be here. I’m not arrogant to say it, it’s the truth. We deserve the chance – after four defeats in a row – to bounce back and try to turn the situation.”
This is the first time Guardiola has endured such a streak of losses – excluding penalty shootouts – in his managerial career.
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