Pep Guardiola Reveals He Planned To Leave Man City Next Summer Before Signing New Two-Year Contract

Pep Guardiola planned to leave Manchester City at the end of the season before changing his mind and signing a new contract.

After reports earlier this week, the Premier League champions confirmed on Thursday night that he had extended his contract until 2027.

His decision to sign a two-year deal – rather than the previously reported one – provides a massive boost for City.

There had been some expectation he might leave next summer after what is his ninth season at the club.

He has decided to stay though at a time when the club is under investigation for 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. City deny all the charges against them.

City have suffered four straight defeats in all competitions – the first time this has happened since 2006.  This has left them five points off leaders Liverpool in the title fight.

Guardiola has suggested that this recent poor form had a part to play in signing a new contract.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that @PepTeam has signed a contract extension 🙌

ℹ️ https://t.co/CpapgHil5f pic.twitter.com/Ue1md3f12A

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 21, 2024

Pep Guardiola Explains Decision To Extend Contract

Explaining his decision to sign a new contract, Pep Guardiola revealed he originally felt this should be his last season at the club.

“Since the beginning of the season I’ve been thinking a lot,” the Spaniard started. “I thought that (this season) should be the last one.

“But with the problems we had in the last month, I felt that now is not the time to leave. I would have let the club down.

“I felt that I could not leave now. Simple as that. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why and I felt that I cannot leave. I felt the club still wanted me and the fact we’re still together so I signed.”

Manchester City’s Poor Form

Pep Guardiola’s comments suggest that Man City fans could thank the teams who beat them, for the Spaniard’s decision to sign a new deal.

The champions have lost Premier League fixtures away at in-form Bournemouth and Brighton. They also suffered a 4-1 loss at the hands of new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim at Sporting.

Tottenham sent them packing from the Carabao Cup. City though will be looking to take a measure of revenge when they host Spurs on Saturday night.

City can barely afford to drop points, especially when they travel to Anfield the week after to play leaders Liverpool.

The Reds have a five-point gap over City, and play bottom-of-the-table Southampton this weekend.

According to the best football betting sites in the UK, the champions can be backed at 9/4 to claim a record-extending fifth title triumph.