Pep Guardiola has finally extended his contract with Premier League club, Manchester City, for two more years amidst a series of speculations linking him with a return to FC Barcelona.
The 49-year-old Spanish tactician has been with Manchester City since July 2016 after spending three successful years at Bayern Munich where he won three Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal, one UEFA Super Cup, and one Fifa Club World Cup.
Since he got to Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has made City more competitive than he met the club. In his first three years at the club, Guardiola won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup title, three EFL Cup, and two Community Shields.
When he failed to win the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League title which Manchester City’s fans were looking forward to, there were speculations that the owners of Manchester City might not want to renew his contract with him if it expires in June 2021.
To the dismay of the people who thought the Spanish tactician would not be given another contract at Manchester City, the Premier League club announced on Thursday, November 19 that Guardiola has signed a two years contract extension with the club.
After signing the two-year deal, Pep Guardiola thanked the leaders of the club Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain for the confidence they shown in him by allowing him to continue coaching the club for another two years.
He said: “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 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 about helping Manchester City do that.”
HE'S STAYING! 🙌
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 19, 2020
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/psyncZkw07
While City chairman Khaldoon Mubarak said: “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 a 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.
Possibility: Pep Guardiola might have extended his contract with City because of Lionel Messi
Pep Guardiola might have extended his contract with Manchester City because of the possibility that FC Barcelona’s talisman Lionel Messi might reunite with the coach at City during the January transfer window or when his contract with Barcelona expires in June 2021.
Recall that in August, when the 33-year-old Argentine football icon told Barcelona that he wanted to leave the club, Manchester City was the major club in the world that showed interest in the superstar. Unfortunately for the club, Messi decided to remain at the Spanish club.
However, Messi and Barcelona have not started to negotiate a new contract as the club is trying to settle the administrative issues at the club.
Messi and Guardiola had a wonderful time at FC Barcelona where the 6-time Ballon d’Or winner and the coach won 14 major titles together including treble (La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey) in the 2008-2009 season. So, City fans are expecting them to reunite at City with the hope that the duo can repeat such a feat.
