Can Man City convince Pep Guardiola to renew his contract or will the coach move on?
Can Man City convince Pep Guardiola to renew his contract or will the coach move on? Nobody at Manchester City is in a state of panic about Pep Guardiola’s future as manager of the Premier League champions, but everyone knows the inquiries about Guardiola’s job security won’t stop coming any time soon.
Guardiola, 51, is set to be free of his contract at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current season if new terms are not negotiated.
When asked in August if this may be his last year at the club, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager was characteristically cryptic. The city has made no secret of their wish to keep hold of Guardiola, winner of four Premier League titles and five other major trophies since he came in 2016.
Statements
He concluded, “I wouldn’t trade my life here for any reason.” “There have been seven seasons thus far. We had a conversation with the organization. We will reevaluate our feelings and make a decision about the club’s future somewhere around the middle or end of the season.”
I’ve made it clear that I’m willing to extend my stay if that’s what they need, but I can’t commit until I’m absolutely certain.
The city would want to be able to announce Guardiola’s contract extension during the World Cup recess.
Since Premier League games will not be played between November 13 and December 26 due to the Qatar Cup, teams have plenty of time to finalize contract agreements.
The matter might be settled before Guardiola enters the final six months of his contract, allowing everyone at the Etihad to concentrate on the championship chase and the business end of the Champions League if it were confirmed before the resumption of play on Boxing Day.
If the dispute continues throughout the second part of the season, though, it becomes an issue City could do without. Players returning from the World Cup while Guardiola’s future is uncertain would inevitably raise doubts about the club’s and the manager’s future.
In the summer, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak acknowledged that Guardiola’s future at the club would always be a topic of discussion, especially as his contract neared its end.
Remarks
“Pep has never lasted as long as he’s stayed here with any club, be it Barcelona or Bayern Munich,” Al Mubarak remarked in his customary end-of-season address to fans.
“Certainly a reasonable point to raise. It held true last year, three years ago, and this year without a hitch. Through the years, this collaboration has produced incredible results.”
Al Mubarak is no stranger to this position. At the start of the 2020-21 season, Guardiola was in the final year of his previous deal.
At the time, rumors circulated that he was eager for a break after spending more time in Manchester than either Barcelona or Munich.
Ultimately, he decided to remain, and in November of 2020, he signed a new contract extension lasting two years.
Guardiola’s longstanding friendships within the club were a major element in his choice to re-sign with the team, and they will no doubt play a similar role this time around.
Declarations
Two years ago, he noted, “Having that type of backing is the best thing any manager can have.” “I have everything I could possibly desire to do my job successfully,” said Bastian, “and I am humbled by the faith the owner, chairman, Ferran [Soriano], and Txiki [Begiristain] have given in me to remain for two more years beyond this season.”
Guardiola knows he may never have it as good as he does at City thanks in part to his bond with Soriano and Begiristain, formed during their time together at Barcelona. However, he is fully cognizant of the fact that his success as a manager hinges on the unwavering commitment of his team.
It’s not the second or third season, it’s been many years already, and I have to observe how the players act,” Guardiola remarked in August. “The last thing I want to do is cause trouble. When trying to make anything last longer than it should, you may end up making matters worse.”
“This type of thing occurs when it is destined to occur anyway. It’s not going to work if you try to push it. The best decision for the club will be made based on how we feel and what happens during the season.”
Bernardo Silva said last summer that working for Guardiola might be “exhausting,” but if City’s start to the season is any indication, his techniques are still paying off.
Team
Not only that, but Begiristain has revitalized the team to the point where only four players are in their 30s (Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Riyad Mahrez).
The team that beat Wolves 3-0 just before the international break had an average age of just 26 years old, and with players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden still developing, they have a good shot at continuing their recent run of success.
Guardiola has goals that go beyond the Etihad, therefore he likely won’t be a manager forever.
After leaving City, he hasn’t ruled out leading a national team in a major tournament, but he has said that he wants to take some time off to travel, spend time with his family, and improve his golf game.
But Khaldoon, Begiristain, and Soriano are keeping their fingers crossed that he’ll find the drive to stay for at least a few more years.
Guardiola will eventually retire from managing on the field because he has no interest in continuing to do so into his 60s and 70s like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. City, though, believes that they have made it so that he would not want to be anywhere else right now.