Pep Guardiola ‘set to sign new Man City contract’ with heated Jurgen Klopp rivalry to continue for years
PEP GUARDIOLA is in talks over a new deal with Manchester City.
The Spaniard, 51, has just one year remaining on his current contract and was believed to be planning on leaving if he guided the club to Champions League glory.
But according to The Mirror, Guardiola’s brother and agent Pere is in talks with City about extending his stay by a further year.
Guardiola reportedly believes his side are yet to hit their peak – which means he could stay even if City do win the Champions League.
City could soon make a big upgrade with the signing of Erling Haaland, too, and Guardiola may be keen to work with the Norwegian.
The prospect of playing for Guardiola appeals to Haaland and negotiations with his father Alfe-Inge, who used to play for City, are believed to have included discussions about Guardiola’s future.
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Guardiola could also be keen to stay in the Premier League to continue his rivalry with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who signed his own contract extension this week.
The Citizens manager admitted Klopp makes him a better manager and he has huge respect for his German counterpart.
Guardiola said of Klopp earlier this month: “I don’t know if Jurgen respects me but I respect him a lot.
“He makes me a better manager… his teams are positive, aggressive and they want to attack. I try to imitate him.”
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Guardiola plans to take a sabbatical when he finally leaves the Etihad but last summer revealed he is not thinking about the future.
He said: “I am so delighted to answer this. I am not thinking I’m going to leave after two years.
“I can leave after two months if the results are not good or the team and organisation is tired of me or I cannot handle these players.
“I could leave in three months or I could leave in five years.