Pep Guardiola has explained why he decided to sign a new two-year contract with Manchester City.
City have announced that Guardiola has penned a new deal that will see him manage the reigning Premier League champions until 2025. Guardiola's previous contract was set to expire at the end of the season, but over the past few months he made positive noises about extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Should Pep see out the new deal, he will have spent nine years at the club, far longer than the four years he managed Barcelona and the three he spent at Bayern Munich.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola signs new Man City contract
Guardiola has brought a period of unparalleled success to City, leading his side to four Premier League titles in the last five seasons and guiding them to a Champions League final for the first time in the club's history. More than success on the pitch though, Guardiola said that the faith placed in him was a big factor in his decision to sign.
"For many reasons [I have signed]. First, I just can’t say enough thank you to the club to trust me. Apparently, I have to make the effort to be here - it’s completely the opposite. I feel they trust me. And still I want to be here and in a short space of time we decided to continue together."
He did admit that his family also played a part. “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."
While the Guardiola family reportedly came to their decision over the course of a few days during a trip to Scotland last month, from a strictly sporting perspective, Guardiola didn't need much time to reach a decision.
"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 [Begiristain] and Omar [Berrada], the people close to me – how they support me in these bad moments, that is what really counts.
"You can win once in a period at a club. When you win a lot, it is impossible to do it without the support of your hierarchy. From day one I felt something special being here. I know the conversations I have with our chairman Khaldoon and the people every day. All you do is your best. I have done that since day one and I will do it until the end.
"I have everything I need to do my job best as possible. I have the support. We discuss a lot what we can do better – we have to do better. I love my job and I have everything to do it. I cannot be in a better place now. The moment I don’t feel that – for family reasons, or I have achieved everything I want to achieve, or I don’t feel comfortable with the team, or it’s not a pleasure to fight for another Premier League – when these feelings disappear, I will step aside.
"In most clubs, people support the manager because of results. Here they support unconditionally because they know everyone works hard and does their best as possible."
READ NEXT:
