Manchester City announced on Thursday that Pep Guardiola had extended his tenure as coach by signing a new two-year deal.
The 53-year-old Spanish manager signed a contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium through 2027. He chose to extend his contract even though it was set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Guardiola, who joined City from Bayern Munich in 2016, will commemorate his tenth anniversary there in the summer of 2026 thanks to the extension.
Although he had considered leaving at the conclusion of the season, Guardiola, who has won 18 trophies at the Etihad, including six Premier League crowns and the Champions League, said that his choice to stay at the club was influenced in part by City’s recent four-game losing streak.
“Since the beginning of the season, I was thinking a lot, there were some moments, I have to be honest, I thought this should be the last one because every one is…” he told the club’s website.
“But at the same time, when the situation comes and the problems we had in the last month, I felt now is not the time to leave, I would let the club down and I had the feeling I had to do it.
“Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats were the reason why and I felt I cannot leave. I felt the club still want me or had the fact that we were together and that’s the reason why we sign.
“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.
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli