Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City, keeping him at the Premier League champions until 2027, the club announced on Thursday.
This new deal ensures that Guardiola, 53, will remain at the Etihad Stadium for a total of over a decade, having initially joined the club in 2016 from Bayern Munich.
“Manchester City means so much to me,” Guardiola said. “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.”
Guardiola’s decision to extend his contract is a boost for City, especially as his original deal was set to expire at the end of the current season.
During his tenure, Guardiola has led the club to 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League victory.
This season, he aimed to make history by becoming the first manager in English football to win five consecutive top-flight titles.
Despite a recent slump in form, with City suffering four consecutive losses—the worst run under his leadership—Guardiola remained determined.
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“I felt I could not leave now, simple as that,” he explained.
“We deserve, after four defeats in a row, a chance to bounce back and try to turn the situation around. We deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth.”
The manager also emphasized his commitment to the club, saying, “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. I don’t have that feeling right now and that’s why I extended a little bit longer.”
City’s chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, expressed his excitement at Guardiola’s decision to stay.
“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.
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.”
Guardiola’s contract extension also follows the departure of director of football Txiki Begiristain, who played a pivotal role in City’s success.
Begiristain will be replaced by Hugo Viana, who is moving from Sporting Lisbon.
Though Manchester City currently sits five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, Guardiola remains focused on the future.
“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.”
