Josko Gvardiol Hopes for Pep Guardiola’s Extended Tenure at Manchester City
Josko Gvardiol has voiced his desire for Pep Guardiola to extend his tenure at Manchester City well beyond the one year remaining on his contract. The Croatian defender, whose transformative £77m move from RB Leipzig saw him contribute significantly to City’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, believes Guardiola’s presence is crucial for the club’s continued success.
The 22-year-old, who experienced a remarkable shift from centre-back to a goal-scoring left-back under Guardiola’s guidance, is eager to see his manager commit to a longer stay. Despite Guardiola’s contract expiring next summer, Gvardiol has witnessed no signs of waning enthusiasm from the Spaniard during City’s pre-season tour of the US.
Gvardiol expressed his admiration, saying: “Pep is always passionate and focused. He’s constantly innovating and motivating us. We would all love for him to stay longer because he brings out the best in us and has built something special here.”
The defender also praised Guardiola’s impact on his own development: “Working under Pep is incredibly rewarding. He constantly pushes us to reach our full potential and be perfect in every aspect of our game. His high standards and meticulous attention to detail have been instrumental in my growth as a player and a person.”
Guardiola, who has secured six titles in his eight years at Manchester City, has hinted that his future hinges on the players’ drive and commitment. Gvardiol, despite a successful debut season that included winning the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup, has experienced setbacks, such as City’s penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals and a crucial error in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United.
As Manchester City prepares to face Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley, Gvardiol shared his reflections on life in Manchester: “I’ve enjoyed living in Manchester; the city’s football culture is incredible. The passion for football here is as intense as I expected. The weather was a bit of a surprise, but I’ve adjusted.”
The Premier League’s competitive nature has lived up to Gvardiol’s expectations, with its physicality and pace presenting new challenges. Despite a slow start to scoring, with his first City goal coming in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Madrid, Gvardiol has since netted five times in seven games. He remarked: “Winning the Champions League would be a dream come true. It is the pinnacle of club football. Lifting that trophy would be an incredible achievement for me and the whole team.”
Gvardiol, who views his role as left-back as an opportunity for growth, continues to enhance his tactical awareness and versatility. “I have improved my tactical understanding and versatility, learning to play in different defensive positions. However, I still see room for improvement in my attacking contributions. Continuous learning and adapting are key to this development,” he concluded.
