Guardiola: ‘I’ll try to make players better every day’

PEP Guardiola set out his aim after signing a contract extension keeping him at City until 2021.

Having been in the Etihad hotseat for two seasons, the Catalan has signed up for three more after overseeing a transformation of the squad he inherited from Manuel Pellegrini.

Guardiola has already said his team will struggle next season to hit the heights of their recordbreaking campaign in the Premier League, but is thrilled to be moving forward with the team.

No team has successfully defended the league title since 2009 while the ambition of the club’s hierarchy to win the Champions League remains.

Regardless of what happens in the pursuit of trophies, as long as the coach is in charge he will not stop trying to improve the players he has at his disposal.

“I am so happy and excited. It’s a pleasure to be able to work here,” Guardiola said.

“I enjoy working with our players every day and we will try to do our best together in the coming years. As a manager, you have to feel good to be with the players – and I feel good.

“I will focus on the desire of my players to become a better team and every day that’s what I will try to do – to improve on the pitch and improve our players. We have a young squad with an average age of 23 and we want to keep taking steps forward and maintain the levels we’ve achieved this season.”

City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said: “We are delighted to announce the extension of Pep’s contract through to 2021. In his two seasons with us, he has fostered an incredible spirit within the squad and significantly contributed to our progress both on and off the field. In doing so he has embodied the passion and commitment we all have for the club.”

Chief executive Ferran Soriano, added: “Pep’s contract extension is fantastic news for Manchester City. We have all been privileged to witness how we have played beautiful football, won titles, broken records and reached the incredible mark of 100 Premier League points.

“Pep has shown this style can succeed in the Premier League in a way it has never been done before.”