Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have extended their partnership for a further two years. Since taking over as manager at the Etihad in 2016, the former manager of Barcelona and Bayern Munich has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four League Cups. The Spaniard will now carry on his pursuit of the trophy that has eluded him since Barcelona: the Champions League, saying that he “cannot be in a better place.”
On Sunday, the Citizens defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final in Istanbul, putting an end to years of Champions League agony for the former head coach of Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Guardiola’s team, who also won the Premier League and FA Cup in the 2022/23 season, accomplished a domestic and continental trifecta with Man City’s first ever top level European victory.
Since Manchester United in 1999, the Sky Blues are the first English team to win three domestic and continental titles. Earlier in the season, Guardiola signed a new deal at the Etihad that runs through the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Pep Guardiola reportedly plans to leave Manchester City at the end of his contract in summer 2025.
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Before deciding to dedicate the following two years of his career to the Citizens, the 51 years old supposedly attracted interest from Brazil; nevertheless, The Guardian reports that he intends to resign once his contract with the Citizens expires.
According to the story, some members of Guardiola’s team believed he would leave after his initial three years contract with Man City expired in 2019. Guardiola’s crew were reportedly dubious if he would even sign his most recent Man City extension.
Guardiola, who has already found success in England, Germany, and Spain, was first supposed to be interested in a stay in Italy, but the Catalan coach may decide to try his hand at managing abroad.
Guardiola is ready to retire after nine trophy-laden years as manager after leaving Bayern after a three years stint to join Man City in 2016.
In his seven seasons as manager, the 51 years old has won 14 trophies, or an average of two each year. These include five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, and the Champions League.
After winning the Champions League, Guardiola’s 2017/18 squad became the first Premier League club to score 100 points in a single campaign. They will also compete for Club World Cup glory the following season.
Guardiola has coached Man City for 413 games, during which time the Citizens have won 305 games, drawn 49, and lost 59, and have scored over 1,000 goals in competitive play.
Guardiola will continue in his position for another two years, but Ilkay Gundogan’s future is still up in the air before his contract expires at the end of the month.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia are reportedly keeping a close eye on events, and it is believed that Arsenal and Barcelona are vying for Gundogan’s signature.
Gundogan reportedly received a three years contract offer from Barcelona, but Man City only extended his contract for one fixed season with the possibility of an additional 12 months until 2025.
After the Champions League final, Gundogan said he had not yet decided on his future, but Guardiola is reportedly hoping the German will sign new contracts.