Manchester City renews confidence in coach Guardiola for two years

Manchester City and Guardiola's partnership will officially continue, the English club announced. Manchester City announced on its official website today, Thursday, the extension of the contract of its Spanish coach, Pep Guardiola, for two years.

Guardiola's contract extension comes at a critical time of the season after the Premier League champions suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Manchester City currently sit second in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool.

City said in a statement: "Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract with Manchester City."

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola has extended his contract with English champions Manchester City for two more seasons, the club announced on Thursday.

Guardiola's previous contract (53 years old) ends on July 1, 2025, but the new agreement stipulates that he will stay until 2027.

Guardiola has coached City since 2016 and led them to the English Premier League title six times, including the league title in the last four seasons, an English record.

Guardiola led City to a treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 2023, while the club also won the League Cup for four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021.

"Manchester City means a lot to me. This is my ninth season here and we have had many great times together," said Guardiola, who won numerous titles as a player and coach at Barcelona before taking over at German giants Bayern Munich.

"I have a really special feeling for this club. That's why I'm so happy to stay for another two seasons," he continued.

"I thank everyone for their continued trust and support in me, the owner, the chairman Khaldoon (Al Mubarak), Ferran (Soriano), Txie (Begiristain), the players and of course the fans... everyone associated with Manchester City," he added.

“It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here,” Guardiola added. “I have said that many times before, but I have everything that any coach could wish to have, and I appreciate that very much. I hope now that we can add more titles to those we have already won, that will be my focus.”

The defending champions return to action on Saturday against Tottenham with the aim of ending the Spanish coach's unprecedented losing streak.

“Like every Manchester City fan, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game,” said Emirati Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

He continued: "His passion for development and success remains unwavering, and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players, our coaching staff, the culture of our club and English football in general."

(beIN Sports)