Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract with Manchester City for another year, ensuring his tenure at the club reaches a decade. This decision, first reported by The Athletic, has been confirmed by multiple sources, though the club has declined to comment.
The 53-year-old Spanish manager joined City in 2016, and under his leadership, the club has secured 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles. Guardiola’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of this season, and while it’s been suggested that his new deal could include an option for a second year, this has not been officially confirmed.
Guardiola’s time at Manchester City has been marked by significant achievements, including guiding the team to an English Treble in the 2022-23 season by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. City also made history by becoming the first English team to win four consecutive Premier League titles and the first to reach 100 points in a single league campaign.
Despite recent struggles, including four consecutive losses across all competitions, City are currently second in the Premier League, trailing Liverpool by five points. Guardiola has acknowledged the team’s difficulties, remarking, “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it” following their 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Guardiola has extended his contract with City three times previously, in May 2018, November 2020, and November 2022. In May 2023, after securing his fourth consecutive league title, Guardiola expressed that he was “closer to leaving than staying.” He later commented that “part of me is leaving” after Txiki Begiristain, the club’s director of football and long-time ally, announced he would depart at the end of the season.
The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future has been speculated as a potential factor in City’s recent performance dip. Additionally, the ongoing Premier League investigation into 115 charges against the club, which it denies, remains unresolved and could lead to severe sanctions. Guardiola has consistently supported the club throughout the proceedings, urging critics to wait for the final ruling before passing judgment.
Guardiola is now the longest-serving manager in the Premier League after Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool this summer.
