Pep Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Manchester City

By James Robson, The Associated Press on November 21, 2024.

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at Manchester City, the club announced Thursday.

The City manager’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but Guardiola ended speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would bring him to 11 seasons in Manchester.

The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club.

“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,” he said.

“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”

Under Guardiola, City became the first team to win four-straight English league titles. He also led City to the treble in 2023, winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in one season – matching Manchester United’s achievement in 1999.

“I have said this many times before,” Guardiola continued in his statement, “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.”

Guardiola has managed City for longer than any his former clubs, having spent four years at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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