Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract at Manchester City that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season. The Catalan has put an end to speculation about his future by penning a new deal that will take him to nine seasons in charge of the Blues.
Guardiola was in Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the weekend and held more talks with City 's hierarchy while there, with a deal thrashed out quickly once he confirmed his intention to stay.
“I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years," said Guardiola. "I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me. I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.
READ MORE: New Guardiola contract would be Man City's signing of the season
“I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade. It happened over the last ten years, and it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.
“From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place. I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies."
Speaking before City's final game before the season took a break for the World Cup, Guardiola said "everything is under control" over a new deal and it was also felt this gap could offer the club and their manager a chance to talk about the future.
Guardiola's last contract was also a two-year deal, confirmed in November 2020. On that occasion, his existing contract was also up at the end of that season but there was more concern that he could have walked away at that point.
Although Guardiola's contract was due to expire this summer, there has been much less speculation around his future so far this season, with the 51-year-old making positive noises about his happiness at the club and his willingness to stay in Manchester even longer.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City Football Club will continue. He has already contributed so much to the success and fabric of this organisation, and it’s exciting to think what might be possible given the energy, hunger and ambition that he clearly still has.
“Under his very special leadership our first team has accomplished so much, whilst continuously playing, and constantly evolving, a City style of football that is admired the world over. Like every City fan, I am looking forward to what lies ahead.”
When Guardiola arrived at the Etihad in 2016 he had managed just four years at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich and there was a general feeling he would perhaps do another four at City, before leaving.
But he has found a club built to serve his needs at the Etihad, working closely with former Barcelona colleagues Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano. This new deal will take Guardiola to the cusp of a decade in charge at City, a stretch that seemed unimaginable when he arrived at the club.
He revealed he spoke to his family more about this latest contract renewal than previously, given the length of time he will now have spent at the club.
“There is a family part. This one [contract renewal] I involved my family more than ever because it has already been seven years and will be nine years [at the end of the new contract]. It’s important to have the feeling they support me in those decisions," said Guardiola.
"In terms of sporting ways, it was one second the decision. I cannot be in a better place because in these seven years we were in bad, bad moments and the organisation, starting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the CEO Ferran Soriano, of course Txiki and Omar, the people close to me – how they support me in these bad moments, that is what really counts."
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