In a surprising turn of events, Pep Guardiola has put off signing an extension at Manchester City.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has been at the club since 2016 and has led them into their most successful era in their history.
He is on the berh of winning his fourth league title in five seasons and his fourth in the six seasons he has been at the club. This will be added to the other domestic titles including the domestic treble from last season.
His contract as Man City’s manager runs out in 2023 and the club have done all they can to extend it. Recently, Jürgen Klopp, with whom he has developed a rivalry over the past three seasons, signed a three-year with Liverpool and it was widely expected that Guardiola would finally sign with City.
Guardiola had hinted at his decision to put off his contract extension when he was asked about his thoughts on Klopp’s extension. “Everyone has their own situation and if we decide to stay longer it’s because we all decide together, not because of my colleague staying,” Guardiola told reporters last month when asked about Klopp’s extension.
“All my career, 14 or 15 years as a manager, I’ve had rivals. I think it’s really good for the Premier League that Jurgen’s signed. He decided and the club decided to stick together.
“I’m more concerned about the last month we have ahead of us. After that, we have time.”
Guardiola to consider signing at the end of next season
The Catalan has now officially put off the contract signing, stating that he wants to see how he feels when his contract is nearing its end next season.
“If I extend the contract, it will be at the end of next season,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “Before is not going to happen. “It’s been many years and we have to see how the team and myself, how we are [feeling] together.
“Knowing that, I would like to stay 10 more years. But we have to take time for that, absolutely. It’s not time.”
Guardiola, however, will have the privilege of coaching one of the best strikers in the world from this generation, Erling Haaland, after Manchester City announced his signing earlier in the week.
The former Barcelona midifleder has coached the best in the world in his stories career: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry, David Villa, Kevin De Bruyne, among others. Haaland is the latest admission, and Guardiola noted that the signing is good for City’s future.
“It is a decision for the club to make a good sign for the future,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “He can come for many, many years hopefully and I am pretty sure he will adapt perfectly to our team but for next season.
“The players make you a good manager. He is an incredible young talent, perfect age. I am pretty sure we are going to help him settle as best possible.”
