Manchester City are growing increasingly confident Pep Guardiola will sign a contract extension, a source has told ESPN.
Guardiola’s current deal runs until the end of the season and the 53-year-old has remained tight-lipped over his plans for the future.
But after positive conversations between Guardiola and club bosses, City believe he’s leaning towards signing a one-year extension — with the option of an additional season — and extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium into a 10th year.
Guardiola is already the most successful manager in the club’s history having won 15 major trophies including six Premier League titles since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2016.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have previously told ESPN that Guardiola was expected to make up his mind about whether to sign an extension between the November international break and the start of the new year.
His last two extensions — in 2020 and 2022 — were both signed in November to avoid speculation surrounding his future spilling over into the second half of the campaign.
City have lost their last four games in all competitions, but still sit second in the Premier League table five points behind leaders Liverpool.
They’re also set to take part in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States in June.
The increasing possibility of Guardiola extending his stay is a boost to City, who will lose director of football Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season. Begiristain, a close friend and ally of Guardiola. will be replaced by Hugo Viana, who is joining from Sporting CP.
