Guardiola pens City extension
PEP GUARDIOLA signed a twoyear contract extension at Manchester City yesterday and then admitted he will only see it out if the club’s success continues.
Guardiola has enjoyed a spectacular second season in England after City romped to the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion and also lifted the Carabao Cup.
The Spaniard has been rewarded with a new deal by the club’s owners, believed to be worth close to £20milliona-year, that will keep him at City until the end of the 2020-21 season.
That means Guardiola would have stayed at City longer than either of his two previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Ever the perfectionist, the 47-year-old said he’ll only stay until the end of the new contract if he can keep getting the best out of his players.
‘We have a contract because we have to have a contract but the club knows me,’ he said. ‘When our relation with players is not good, I’m going to make a step back and another guy is going to come to help the club maintain this high level we achieved recently.
‘The contract of the manager always depends on the results. What we have done in one year changed everything, but when we feel it is not going well we are going to change and I’m going to make a step back. I’m trying with all my effort and all my desire to avoid that. I’m going to work every single day to maintain the level.’
City broke the record for the most points, wins and goals in a Premier League campaign this season.
And Guardiola, who was named Premier League Manager of the Year, did it playing scintillating football.
Ferran Soriano, City’s chief executive officer, said: ‘We have all been privileged to witness how we have played beautiful football, won titles, broken records and reached 100 Premier League points.’
City’s owners are delighted Guardiola (right) has agreed to stay longer and therefore ease concerns that he might quit at the end of his initial three-year deal. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: ‘In his time with us, he has fostered an incredible spirit within the squad and significantly contributed to our progress both on and off the field.’ The issue could have become a distraction next season as Guardiola entered the final 12 months of his contract, but it has been resolved before he goes on holiday with his wife and three children. Extending his contract will also help City attract transfer targets, with Napoli’s Jorginho and Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez expected to come through the door this summer. Jorginho’s agent Joao Santos confirmed yesterday the Italian playmaker will join City if they can agree terms with Napoli. ‘At this moment, Jorginho is still under contract but if Napoli finds an agreement with City, the player will go,’ he said.