Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year deal with the Club to extend his stay until the summer of 2023.
The Catalan will have been with the club for seven years by the end of his new deal – by far the longest he has stayed at any club since he became a manager in 2008.
Confirmation of the two year extension, which comes following rumours of a one-year extension, will give City a chance of medium term stability which may allow them to sign more players and deal with the future of players like Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho – both of whom are out of contract in the summer.
It could also aid City’s efforts to sign Lionel Messi after a protracted summer transfer saga ended with Aguero’s friend opting to stay with Barcelona until the end of his own contract in the summer rather than take them to court.
With the likely relaxation of financial fair play this season allowing for an increased transfer spend in the forthcoming winter transfer window there’s a good chance that City will now be able to press on with refreshing the squad and potentially promoting more youngsters to the first team.
Since his arrival in the Premier League Guardiola has transformed the way teams play in English football, leading to a rise in teams playing out from the back.
His style of football also saw the team win eight major domestic trophies while setting several significant records along the way.
Under Guardiola, City have won 181 of 245 matches – a win rate of 73.87 percent – winning silverware every 31 games.
And Guardiola himself was pleased to have settled his future with the club, saying:
“Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the Club, and in the city itself, from the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the Chairman and Owner.
“Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.
“Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have. I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the Owner, Chairman, Ferran and Txiki have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season.
“The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving, and I am very excited and about helping Manchester City do that.”
Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Mubarak added:
“It is testament to the qualities of the man that Pep Guardiola’s passion and intelligent approach are now woven into the very fabric of the football we play and our culture as Club.
“That impact has been central to our success during his tenure and it is why I am delighted that he shares our view that there is so much more to be achieved both on and off the field.
“Pep’s contract extension is the natural next step in a journey which has evolved over many years.
“It is a product of the mutual trust and respect that exists between him and the entire Club.
“It also goes to the stability and creativity at the heart of our football operations.
“Importantly it is a validation of the football structure and philosophy that has been built over more than a decade and to which he has contributed so much.
“I’m sure all City fans share my delight in this new agreement and in anticipating the exciting opportunities that, with continued hard work, are there to be taken.”