Pep Guardiola's new Manchester City contract will not be affected by the outcome of the club's hearing on 115 charges alleging breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.
City have been accused of financial impropriety for nine years since 2009 and the stiffest punishment if found guilty is relegation. Point deductions and fines are also possible penalties.
An independent hearing into the case officially began in September, but the verdict is not expected to be made public until spring 2025 at the earliest.
City continue to deny the allegations and Guardiola has repeatedly expressed confidence in the club's hierarchy during the investigation into their finances.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Guardiola will sign a one-year extension with the option of another year.
And we can reveal that the new deal will not include a breakout clause in case City are found guilty of the alleged charges and are relegated.
It should be noted that Guardiola could still choose to leave his position, but it is believed that his relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak – who was crucial in writing a new contract – means that a written clause with regarding the outcome of the costs are not necessary.
Guardiola has previously repeatedly insisted he would stay at City even if they were found guilty.
Last year he was asked whether he would consider his position if City were punished. “A good question,” he replied. 'I will answer when I have the verdict.
'You ask questions as if we have been punished. And right now, we are innocent until proven guilty.
'I know people want it. I know it, I feel it. I'll wait. Just wait and see, after the verdict is pronounced, we'll come here and explain.
'But I definitely won't think about my future [if] it depends if you are here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolute.
'There is a better chance of staying if we are in League One than if we are in the Champions League.'
Guardiola's stance is a major boost for the club, with the lack of a break clause strongly suggesting that he will be City's manager until at least the end of next season, regardless of the outcome of the case, something which also helps with future selection planning.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's new contract means his glittering reign at City will extend to a decade and ensures the club do not lose both their all-conquering boss and sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, at the same time.
Mail Sport reported in the summer that Guardiola was expected to call time on his illustrious spell at the end of this season, with a change of guard considered very likely by those close to him.
It is understood senior figures had tentatively discussed succession planning, with Guardiola being contacted by the FA about the England job in July.
Friends of Guardiola had been given the impression that the possibility of replacing Gareth Southgate was something he was seriously considering.
But the 53-year-old returned to pre-season refreshed after completing history by leading the team to four consecutive league titles.
And while he continued to weigh his decision – with sources claiming this month that they were not yet certain of the outcome – the conversation about Guardiola's future had changed dramatically during the opening months of the campaign.
The new deal indicates he will be incentivized to oversee key changes within the squad next summer.
There were also potential logistical complications surrounding a new manager next summer to consider given City's involvement in the revamped Club World Cup, which will end a few weeks before the 2025/2026 season.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana takes over from Begiristain as City heads into a new era, with the pair in close contact during a transition period.
Guardiola will remain the constant and the news of an extension should also send a message to a side that has lost four in all competitions and is five points behind Liverpool in the title race.
City play Tottenham this weekend before traveling to Anfield a week later – before meeting Aston Villa and rivals Manchester United next month – in an exciting series of matches.
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