Pep Guardiola: "I Couldn't Leave After Four Defeats"

Pep Guardiola has extended his stay as Manchester City manager until 2027, signing a new two-year contract amid the club’s worst streak under his leadership—four consecutive defeats. Guardiola, who joined City in 2016 has won 18 trophies with the club including six Premier League titles and a historic treble last season. The 53-year-old Spaniard emphasized his commitment to helping City recover from their current challenges, saying, “I felt I could not leave now. After four defeats in a row, we deserve to bounce back and regain stability.”

Guardiola acknowledged the team’s inconsistency and expressed determination to rebuild their momentum and continue competing at the highest level. During his tenure, Guardiola has transformed City into a dominant force, achieving unprecedented milestones such as four consecutive English top-flight titles and a record 100 Premier League points in a single season. Reflecting on his nine years at the club, he described City as special, offering “everything a manager could ever wish for,” and vowed to focus on adding more trophies.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak praised Guardiola’s “insatiable hunger for improvement and success,” highlighting the significant impact of his innovative leadership on the club and English football. Guardiola’s contract extension coincides with uncertainty surrounding the club’s disciplinary case involving 115 charges for alleged financial rule breaches. While City denies wrongdoing, the case could result in severe penalties. Despite this, Guardiola has consistently defended the club and urged critics to await the outcome.

As the Premier League’s longest-serving manager, Pep Guardiola’s tenure will reach 11 years by 2027 marking a rare longevity in modern football. With City currently second in the league, five points behind Liverpool, Guardiola’s focus remains on restoring consistency and building on his remarkable legacy.