Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year contract extension.
While the club has declined to comment on the story, which was initially reported by The Athletic, multiple sources have confirmed that Guardiola has opted to sign a new deal, extending his stay at the club to 10 years.
The 53-year-old Spaniard joined City in 2016 and has won 18 trophies during his tenure, including six Premier League titles.
His previous contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, with speculation that the new agreement could include an option for a second year, though this remains unconfirmed.
During his time at Manchester City, Guardiola has helped the team become just the second English men’s side to win the Treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season).
Under his leadership, City also became the first men’s team to win four consecutive English top-flight titles and to achieve 100 Premier League points in a single campaign.
Currently, City sit second in this season’s Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool, and are on a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions—marking the first time Guardiola has experienced such a losing streak in his managerial career, excluding shootouts.
Following a 2-1 defeat at Brighton, Guardiola remarked, “Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserves it.”
Guardiola has previously signed contract extensions in May 2018, November 2020, and November 2022. After City’s historic fourth successive league title in May, he stated he was “closer to leaving than staying.”
Guardiola later remarked, “part of me is leaving,” following the announcement in October that long-time ally and director of football Txiki Begiristain would be departing Manchester City at the end of the season.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager expressed that he needed to be “really convinced” that any extension of his own contract would be “the best for the club.”
The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future has been pointed to by some as a factor contributing to the team’s recent poor form.
Additionally, there is no clear timeline for the outcome of the disciplinary case brought by the Premier League, involving 115 charges against City, which the club denies. If guilt is established, the case could result in significant sanctions. Guardiola has consistently supported the club, urging critics to wait for the final decision before making any judgments.
After Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool in the summer, Guardiola now holds the distinction of being the longest-serving current manager in the Premier League.