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Written by Martin Graham | May 14, 2022
In a surprising turn of events, Pep Guardiola postponed the signing of an extension to Manchester City.
The former coach of Barcelona and Bayern Munich has been at the club since 2016 and led it to the most successful era in their history.
He is on the verge of winning his fourth league title in five seasons and fourth in his six seasons at the club. This will be added to other domestic titles including the domestic treble from last season.
His contract as Manchester City manager expires in 2023 and the club has done everything in their power to extend it. Recently, Jurgen Klopp, with whom he has developed a rivalry over the past three seasons, signed a three-year contract with Liverpool and it was widely expected that Guardiola would finally sign City.
Guardiola had hinted at his decision to delay his contract extension when asked about his thoughts on extending Klopp. Guardiola told reporters last month when asked about Klopp’s contract extension: “Everyone has their own situation and if we decide to stay longer, it’s because we all decided together, not because my colleague stays.”
“Throughout my career, 14 or 15 years as a manager, I’ve had rivals. I think it’s really good that Jurgen signed with the Premier League. He decided and the club decided to stay together.
“I worry more about the last month that lies ahead. After that, we have time.”
Guardiola is considering signing at the end of next season
The Catalan has now postponed formally signing the contract, indicating that he wants to see how he feels when his contract nears its end next season.
“If I extend the contract, it will be at the end of next season,” Guardiola said. Sky Sports. “Before it will not happen.” “It has been many years and we have to see how our team and I are and how we are [feeling] together or together.
“Knowing that, I would like to stay another 10 years. But we have to make some time for that, sure. It is not time.”
But Guardiola will have the privilege of coaching one of the world’s best strikers of this generation, Erling Haaland, after Manchester City announced his signing earlier in the week.
The former Barcelona midfielder has coached the best player in the world in his career: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry, David Villa, Kevin De Bruyne, among others. Haaland is the latest signing, and Guardiola indicated that the signing is good for City’s future.
“It is a decision for the club to give a good signal for the future,” Guardiola said. Sky Sports. “He can come for many years hopefully and I’m sure he will adapt perfectly to our team but for next season.
“The players make you a good coach. He is a great young talent, and his age is perfect. I am sure we will help him settle in as best we can.”
