I could not leave now

Pep Guardiola has suggested Manchester City’s recent dip in form was behind his decision to sign a contract extension.

Guardiola’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season but he has now committed to the Premier League champions until June 2027.

The news comes with City mired in a four-game losing streak, the worst of Guardiola’s coaching career, that has seen them exit the EFL Cup and slip five points behind leaders Liverpool in the title race.

We’ve got 👏👏 Guardiola! pic.twitter.com/JavtIW2Cjd

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 21, 2024

The Catalan told the club’s official website: “I felt I could not leave now, simple as that.

“Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats were the reason why and I felt I cannot leave. I felt the club still want me or had the fact that we were together and that’s the reason why we signed.”

Guardiola has won 18 major trophies during his eight years at the Etihad, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League crown.

You don’t stay unless you win – Guardiola

Asked why he has remained at City for so long, he added: “Firstly it’s because we won a lot otherwise you do not stay 11 years, not even here in a place where I feel love.

“Here is a business and you have to win and have a contract but I know if you don’t win maybe I would not continue.

“I enjoy being here. I like my job. I like being the manager of this club.

“I said many times from many, many years ago, the moment I will not have that feeling, even under contract, I will ring my chairman and CEO and say the best for the club right now is I have to leave.

“I don’t have that feeling right now and that’s why I extended a little bit longer.”

Not a one-man band

Guardiola was quick to acknowledge the role played by other people in the club’s success.

“I think the hierarchy is so stable, the club is so, so stable in many departments and everyone knows the quality of the players we have in this decade – nine, 10, 11 years,” he said.

“I don’t forget my first season here with the players I had in that moment so that helped me a lot to understand the club, the team, the Premier League and many, many things and all of them were involved.

“I didn’t have the feeling that the reason why is a specific reason – there are many reasons why we have a lot of success.”