MANCHESTER – Pep Guardiola is set to extend his tenure at the helm of Manchester City by signing a one-year extension to his contract, The Athletic reported on November 19.

Guardiola has won six English Premier League titles and the club’s first ever Champions League since joining the Etihad in 2016.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach’s current contract expires at the end of the season.

There had been speculation that Guardiola’s tenure could be coming to an end, with City facing an uncertain future due to an ongoing hearing into 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

However, The Guardian reported on November 21 that Guardiola’s new contract does not include a termination clause should City be relegated following financial violations.

Asked previously if he would reassess his position if City were punished and relegated, the Spaniard replied: “A good question. I will respond when I have the sentence.

“Absolutely, I won’t consider my future (if) it depends on being here (Premier League) or being in League One. Absolutely. There’s a better chance of staying if we’re in League One than if we were in the Champions League.

The club’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, close to Guardiola, confirmed his departure at the end of the season.

The Athletic reported that the 53-year-old would extend his contract by another year, with an option for a further year.

Guardiola also signed his two previous contract extensions at City during the November international break.

The English champions return to action on November 23, looking to end an unprecedented losing streak for their manager.

Guardiola has lost four consecutive matches for the first time in his coaching career.

Hit by the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a season-ending knee injury, City fell five points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after defeats to Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion.

They also lost 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon in their last Champions League outing and were knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur.

But retaining one of the most decorated managers in football history would be a huge morale boost for City’s players and supporters.

Former City and England full-back Danny Mills told talkSPORT: “It’s very important because… I think a bit of uncertainty creeps in with the players…

“I think now this might be the little push they need to get their mojo back and get back into the mold, you know, start winning games and challenging themselves to try and win that fifth seed. ‘in a row. »

Guardiola won 15 major honors in total during his eight full seasons in Manchester, which also included two FA Cups, four League Cups, one Club World Cup and one European Super Cup.

Before winning the treble with City in 2022-23, the 53-year-old coached boyhood club Barcelona from 2008 to 2012 and spent three years in charge of German giants Bayern, winning three league titles in each club. AFP, Reuters