'I want to be honest' - Pep Guardiola explains decision to stay on at Man City after signing new two-year deal with Premier League champions

Guardiola has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester City by signing a new two-year contract, which will extend his tenure at the club to an impressive 11 seasons. The Spanish manager, who joined City in 2016, has overseen a period of unprecedented success, capturing six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and a Champions League trophy. With the new deal in place, Guardiola has expressed his desire to keep building on this legacy and bring even more silverware to the Etihad Stadium.

In an announcement video he said: "So honestly I think myself, my staff and friends, I think we deserve to be here. I am sorry to say. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth. I think we deserve after four defeats in a row to bounce back and try to turn the situation. In that moment, in the period, I had the feeling you have to take the right decisions for the future and I want to take it. Since the beginning of the season I’ve been thinking a lot. I want to be honest, I thought this [season] should be the last one. But the problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave. I didn’t want to let the club down. I felt I could not leave now, simple as that. Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why I felt I cannot leave. Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here – we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”

While the announcement of the new contract brings optimism, Guardiola finds himself navigating one of the most challenging periods of his City career. For the first time under his leadership, the club have suffered four consecutive defeats, a streak the club hasn’t experienced since August 2006, during Stuart Pearce’s tenure.

As the club looks to end its current losing streak, Guardiola’s renewed contract serves as a reminder of the management's enduring belief in the manager and his potential. He will next lead his troops against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.