OFFICIAL: Pep Guardiola agrees new two-year Manchester City contract

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has ended speculation over his future by agreeing a new deal that will run until 2023.

The Catalan’s future at the Etihad had looked uncertain as he moved into the final seven months of his contract.

However, that has been decisively ended with the announcement from Man City on Thursday.

In a statement, the clubs said: “Manchester City are pleased to announce that Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year deal with the Club.

“The contract, which now runs to the summer of 2023, sees Guardiola’s commitment to City extended to seven years from his arrival in 2016.

“Since joining Manchester City, Pep has had a transformational effect on the Club’s playing style and has guided the team to eight major trophies, setting a series of significant records along the way. In total, the team has won 181 of the 245 matches under his in charge – a win rate of 73.87 percent – winning a piece of silverware every 31 games he has overseen.”

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Guardiola’s unfinished business at Man City

Throughout his coaching career, Guardiola has been notorious for spending only a few seasons at a club before moving on.

He led Barcelona through a golden era between 2008-2012 which ended abruptly due to his shock resignation.

After spending a sabbatical year out of the game, he then switched to Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed a similar period of dominance from 2013 until 2016.

Guardiola, meanwhile, has now been with City since 2016. As he is poised to remain at the club for two more years, this will be easily the longest stay of his managerial career.

Although he has won the Premier League on two occasions, one FA Cup and a trio of League Cups, there is a sense that Guardiola has unfinished business to attend to.

“I am delighted that he shares our view that there is so much more to be achieved both on and off the field,” chairman Khaldoon Mubarak said.

Pep Guardiola career statistics:

His arrival at City was expected to propel them to the status of a European superpower, but while they continue to have formidable financial backing, success in the Champions League continues to elude them.

In four attempts at winning the European Cup under Guardiola, they have never gone further than the quarter-finals. Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon have beaten them in successive years.

City are making good progress in the competition this season. They have three wins from three in Group C, virtually guaranteeing them a place in the knockout round.

Meanwhile, they are 10th in the Premier League table, six points off leaders Leicester. They have, however, played a game fewer than the majority of their rivals.

Guardiola continues to be linked with a move for six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. The Barcelona star is out of contract in June and could, therefore, move for free.