Manchester City & Pep Guardiola Edge Closer to New Contract Agreement
By Max Cooper
Pep Guardiola is edging closer to signing a new contract with Premier League giants Manchester City, it has been revealed.
The 49-year-old has been at the Citizens' helm for the past five years, and with his contract expiring at the end of the 2020/21 campaign questions were raised over whether he would extend his stay beyond this season.
But The Telegraph reports that the former Barcelona coach is close to putting pen to paper on a new deal, ruling out a possible Etihad exit after a half decade in Manchester. This is not the first we're hearing of this news, however.
90min revealed at the end of October that Man City had entered negotiations with their coach over a new contract, although they were also keeping their options open in case he decided to end his stay in England.
However, The Telegraph's report states that those close to Guardiola believe he is more likely to remain in the north west than look to pastures new, having been linked with returns to both Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Guardiola has provided the Citizens with the most successful spell in their Premier League history, winning back-to-back top-flight titles in 2018 and 2019. His expansive style of play and pursuit of perfection revolutionised the modern English game, creating some of the most exciting and attacking teams ever seen.
However, the ex-Bayern coach has hit a bit of a wall at Man City, and his exploits have been surpassed by the relentless Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who have won both the Champions League and the Premier League title in recent seasons.
Man City are still looking to end their wait to lift the big European trophy, and the pressure is mounting on Guardiola to bring this success to his supporters. Thus far, he has had little luck in delivering the Champions League, and last season's disastrous exit at the hands of underdogs Lyon has only added to suggestions that the coach is losing faith in the club's vision.
This latest news will put supporters' minds at ease though, as it appears their boss still has the fight to topple new champions Liverpool and make another assault at European glory.