Guardiola Agrees to One More Year at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has cemented his future at Manchester City by agreeing to a one-year contract extension, a source confirmed to ESPN's Moises Llorens. Although Guardiola's current agreement was due to expire at the end of the season, the manager had kept silent about his intentions. His decision was made after beneficial talks with the team's leadership. 

The new contract will ensure Guardiola's presence at the Etihad Stadium for a tenth season. Joining the club from Bayern Munich in 2016, Guardiola has emerged as their most successful manager. His tenure has seen them clinch 15 significant trophies, among which are six Premier League titles.

Insiders previously notified ESPN about Guardiola's plan to decide on an extension between the November international hiatus and the new year onset. His last extensions executed in 2020 and 2022 were signed in November to discourage any speculation about his future during the campaign's latter half.

Despite the team’s recent downturn, with four consecutive losses across all competitions, they occupy the Premier League's second position, trailing five points behind leaders Liverpool. Manchester City will also participate in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to commence in the United States this June.

Guardiola's continued stay promises to be a morale booster for City, who will see the departure of their director of football, Txiki Begiristain, at this season's end. A close confidant of Guardiola, Begiristain will be swapped out for Hugo Viana, a new recruit from Sporting CP.