Guardiola says he must prove he deserves City extension
LONDON: Pep Guardiola says he is keen to extend his Manchester City contract but must first prove to the Premier League club’s owners that he is worthy of a new deal.
Guardiola, who has guided City to two Premier League titles since taking charge in 2016, signed a contract extension to remain at the Etihad until 2021.
“I would love to stay longer here,” the 49-yearold said ahead.
“To extend the contract I have to deserve it and we are going to see if I deserve it this season, in terms of how the team goes forward and improves.”
City finished 18 points behind champions Liverpool in the league last season and crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals but Guardiola said his future at the club is not contingent on delivering major trophies.
“They haven’t pushed anything since day one. They allow me to do my job as best as I can with my staff and players and this is going to continue,” added the Spaniard.
Guardiola knows City cannot afford so many unexpected stumbles this season if they are to end Liverpool’s reign. But the Spaniard himself might need to look in the mirror as he contemplates the reasons for City’s steep decline. His inability to fix City’s defensive problems and constant tinkering with his midfield and atack seemed to spread confusion and frustration among his squad.
Only Kevin De Bruyne enjoyed a transcendent season for City and the Belgian midfield maestro could not carry his team all alone.
Guardiola’s positional switches destabilised City again in their shock Champions League quarterfinal loss to Lyon in August. Throw in Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final win over City, in which Gunners boss Mikel Arteta out-wited his former mentor, and it is easy to see why some are questioning Guardiola’s ability to take his team back to the top.
City have the quality in their squad to beat anyone -- as they showed in a 4-0 rout of Liverpool last season -- but does Guardiola have the hunger and ability to make it happen on a consistent basis?
“They didn’t tell me when what I have to win - they told me to play. I know the standards of this club, and I have to win and deserve to extend my contract.”
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said over the summer he is confident “everything will work out naturally and in the right way” with regard to Guardiola’s future.
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League club said on Monday, making him the third player in the squad to return a positive test in recent weeks. City winger Riyad Mahrez and defender Aymeric Laporte previously tested positive for the novel coronavirus earlier this month.
“Ilkay is now observing a 10-day period of selfisolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine,” the club said in a statement.
Gundogan is likely to miss three matches for City while he self-isolates, including Monday’s league clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thursday’s League Cup tie against Bournemouth and Sunday’s league game against Leicester City.