Pep Guardiola insisted he would stay at Manchester City even if the club is relegated as punishment for their alleged breach of Premier League financial rules.
Guardiola, who joined City in 2016, signed a new two-year contract extension on Friday, ending speculation over his current contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season.
The deal itself will take Guardiola's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.
During his time in charge, the Spaniard has won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and their first Champions League title last year.
He also boasts a winning percentage of 72.04% in all competitions, which is unsurprisingly the highest of any full-time City manager in history.
However, a hearing is also underway on Man City's 115 charges for allegedly breaking Premier League rules, but Guardiola said he will stay regardless of the outcome.
“I said that six months ago. If we are relegated, I will be here and next year we will go to the Premier League. I knew it then, I feel it now,” Guardiola said.
He also revealed that he agreed to new terms at the Etihad within two hours.
“I thought I should stay here. Of course, because they want me. For obvious reasons, because of the results and because we have known each other for a long time,” he added.
“All my decisions were like this, what I feel at the moment. I don't convince in advance, I wait. I decided to stay here and in just two hours we did it [agreed the contract].”
Legend. pic.twitter.com/gyiEZ9V3jJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 21, 2024
City welcome Tottenham to the Etihad this weekend after four consecutive defeats – Guardiola's longest losing streak in his entire managerial career.
The Citizens last lost more in a row between March and April 2006 under Stuart Pearce (six – including the fifth match against Tottenham).
They have also won just three of their last ten top-flight games against Tottenham (D2 L5) and are looking to win back-to-back meetings with them for the first time since April 2019.
Despite their form, Guardiola was quick to point out his side's recent success, notably becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles.
“When you are here for nine years, with a long time at one club, you live in all scenarios, in all situations,” Guardiola said.
“You can lose four games in a row but at the same time win four Premier Leagues in a row.
“The difference is that most teams in different competitions can lose four games in a row, but only one team has won four Premier Leagues in a row. That's how it happened.”
“Did it happen in one season? No. If you've been somewhere for eight or nine years, yes, both sides of the run can happen.”
Comments