As per a report by Graeme Bailey of 90 Min, Manchester City remain ‘hopeful’ that they will reach an agreement with Pep Guardiola over signing a contract renewal by the end of the year.
Further details suggest that the Premier League champions are believed to have a ‘broad agreement’ in place with the Spanish tactician’s representatives, as they plan to tie him down till 2025.
Interestingly, it has been mentioned that in case Guardiola decides not to continue his love affair with the club, he is understood to have been guaranteed the job as a manager at sister New York City FC in the summer.
Furthermore, the City hierarchy are said to have a succession plan in place, in case their legendary coach departs.
It is stated that Mikel Arteta is viewed as a ‘genuine contender’ to succeed Pep Guardiola, as his progress at Arsenal has impressed those at the Etihad Stadium.
Other managerial names that could potentially be in contention are Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo.
However, the ideal situation for the Sky Blues remains that Pep Guardiola signs on the dotted line, so that they can initiate their succession plan in a few years’ time.
On a number of occasions, the four-time Premier League champion has discussed how his decision to renew his deal at the club will hinge on whether the players remain invested in his project.
After Manchester City’s last-gasp 2-1 win against Fulham, the former Bayern boss’ highlight from the contest was telling about his current headspace about things at the club.
“What I’m proud of most, after 7 years at Manchester City, we can still perform at this level like we’ve performed this season. We can play good, bad, win, lose. When we lose, I think about what we need to do to do better. But when you see the team not give up”, he told reporters, as relayed by City Xtra.
Guardiola continued, “They played after the sending off [vs Fulham], after some decisions, a perfect amount of grumpiness, energy that you need 10 vs 11. Otherwise, you give up. That’s why we competed until the end. They give me what they are, what they are during 6 or 7 years.”
“They’ve done it many times over many years in the Premier League, the toughest league by far in the world. Still there. After winning 4 Premier Leagues in 5 years, they’re doing what they’ve done so far, that’s the biggest title we can get as a team and as a club.”
With Pep Guardiola being perennially hungry for silverware and everyone at City seemingly being tuned into his demands, it is likely that a contract renewal is imminent.
