Pep Guardiola Set to Stay at Manchester City: Details of New Contract Revealed
Pep Guardiola has reportedly reached an agreement to extend his stay at Manchester City, securing his position as one of the most iconic managers in football history.
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola has led City to an extraordinary era of success, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the Champions League, culminating in last season’s historic treble. However, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season, speculation around his future has been rife.
Guardiola Addresses Speculation
Speaking last month on the Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa, Guardiola addressed rumors about his next move:
“Leaving City? It’s not true, I haven’t decided yet. And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided, I would say it… I don’t know either; anything can happen.”
The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future has kept fans and analysts guessing, particularly with reports suggesting he would make an announcement before the Premier League’s ongoing 115 charges against City are resolved in early 2025.
Report: Agreement in Principle
According to Football Insider, Guardiola has now reached a verbal agreement to extend his contract for another year, keeping him at the Etihad until the summer of 2026. The report describes the deal as “99% done” with an official announcement expected “soon.”
If finalized, this would mark a full decade of Guardiola at the helm of Manchester City—a testament to the mutual success and ambition of both the manager and the club.
Rumors of Successors
Speculation about Guardiola’s successor intensified recently when reports from Spain claimed that Xabi Alonso, currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, is set to leave the German club at the end of this season. Alonso, who has transformed Leverkusen into a dominant force, was linked to City as a potential replacement for Guardiola.
Meanwhile, The Athletic previously reported that Guardiola has entertained the idea of managing the Brazil national team, fueling further intrigue about his next move.
A Future Beyond City?
Brazil, reportedly eager to bring Guardiola on board, is said to have contacted him with a proposal to take charge after the 2026 World Cup. This would give Guardiola four years to prepare for the 2030 tournament, which will be hosted across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and South America to mark the centenary of the competition.
For now, though, Manchester City fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Guardiola appears set to remain their guiding force for at least another year, keeping hopes alive for more trophies and continued dominance in English and European football.
