Manchester City supporters can look forward to at least one more season of Pep Guardiola.
There was a big development last night regarding the Manchester City manager’s future – and many have gotten their wish.
Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract by one year, with the option for another.
The news about Guardiola extending delighted Man City fans, who have been waiting for weeks and months for news about the Spaniard’s future.
There had been concern that he might leave when his current deal expires next summer. But he’s now set to stay, in what is undoubtedly bad news for City’s Premier League rivals.
More details are starting to emerge about the situation and Fabrizio Romano has some information regarding one man who was tipped to succeed Guardiola in Xabi Alonso.
Man City know Xabi Alonso is Real Madrid’s top priority
Fabrizio Romano reported last night that City didn’t try to contact Xabi Alonso or Ruben Amorim about potentially succeeding Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
City were said to be interested in Amorim before Manchester United swooped for him to replace Erik ten Hag.
For a while, Alonso had been suggested as someone who could succeed Guardiola, given the amazing job he’s done at Bayer Leverkusen and also the way his team plays.
But Romano says contact wasn’t made, and last night he went into a bit more detail on YouTube about why City didn’t make contact.
He said: “Let me tell you, Manchester City never reached out to other coaches. I can guarantee to you that for several reasons, for example, tactical for Ruben Amorim. For example, they know that Xabi Alonso is a top priority for Real Madrid.
“Manchester City know that very well. So Man City never reached out.
“Man City, I can guarantee, never did this. Just because Man City always thought internally Pep is going to stay. The official statement is coming.
“Mentioning other managers, it’s important to say, that Manchester City are aware of the situation around Europe. 2025 is going to be an important year and so to make sure they have Guardiola signing an extension now in 2024 in November is a big success.
“Alonso is the favourite candidate of Florentino Perez for Real Madrid.”
Alonso seems destined for Real Madrid
It’s interesting to hear that contact was never even made over Alonso, with City so set on having Guardiola extend.
It’s starting to sound as though it was never really in doubt that Guardiola would extend his contract, and that it was never really a possibility that Alonso would become the next man in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium.
| Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen (October 2022-present) |
| Games managed – 107 |
| Wins – 69 |
| Draws – 25 |
| Losses – 13 |
| Goals scored – 250 |
| Goals conceded – 117 |
| Trophies – 3 |
It very much seems as though Alonso will end up at Real at some point.
He obviously played for them and is now one of the best coaches in the world. And being Spanish, it seems only natural for him to end up at the Bernabeu.
The Bayern Munich and Manchester City jobs are now locked down, so Alonso to Real feels fairly nailed on.
