Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract at Manchester City - finally putting an end to speculation over his future.
The Catalan moved to the blue half of Manchester in 2016 but his current contract would've seen him leave at the end of the current campaign. City bosses, though, have struck an agreement that will see him remain with the club until 2027.
Reacting to the news, Guardiola said: "Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
"That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons. Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
"I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus."
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: “Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City will continue; allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game.
“His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our Club, and the English game at large.
“This renewal will take Pep beyond a decade of coaching Manchester City and the opportunity to continue to re-write the managerial record books.”
Guardiola has broken a number of records during his time at City and the club were understandably desperate to keep him while he remains at the peak of his powers. The former Barcelona boss is currently eyeing a fifth successive Premier League success.
He became the first man to win four titles on the bounce back in May. Across his eight full years in charge of the club he's landed the Premier League on six occasions and helped the Manchester outfit become just the second English team in history to win the treble' a feat which also saw him with the Champions League.
Guardiola has signed three extensions during his time at the club - in May 2018, November 2020 and November 2022. He cast doubt over his future after his latest Premier League triumph when he said he was "closer to leaving than staying".
The 53-year-old's situation was again questioned when director of football Txiki Begiristain announced in October that he would be leaving City at the end of the season.
Begiristain worked with Guardiola at Barcelona and had been a long-term ally. Guardiola had claimed he wanted to be "really convinced" that any extension of his own stay would be "the best for the club". However he's opted to remain and extend his stint as the top flight's longest serving manager.
Previously the Catalan hadn't stayed longer than four years at a club. His spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich were relatively short and there was never an expectation that he would remain in Manchester for as long as he has.
Across the course of his time at City Guardiola has won six league titles, posting a 100 points for the first time ever back in 2017/18. He's also added two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, the Community Shield three times and the Champions League.
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