Pep Guardiola can expect to be backed in the January transfer window as reward for another significant commitment to Manchester City at a time of huge symbolic importance for the club.
Confidence has been growing at City that Guardiola would opt to stay beyond his current contract since positive talks with the club’s hierarchy in Abu Dhabi in October, at which – crucially – plans to break with tradition and potentially invest in the next transfer window were also discussed.
While there was never any pressure on the Catalan to reach a decision and no timeline was ever sketched out, the November international break always felt like the point at which there would be some clarity.
Guardiola has decided to stay at City for one more year, with the option of a further season, in what constitutes a massive show of faith in his employers as they fight serious financial fair play charges while also navigating a transition to new director of football Hugo Viana.
It is being viewed in the game as effectively a rallying cry to the club’s supporters and players from the most gifted coach in the world that they will not be moved despite the existential threat that the 115 charges represent.
One rival club executive told i: “Hoped Pep wouldn’t stay, expected he would. It doesn’t get any easier at the top.”
City are yet to comment on the now widespread reports of Guardiola’s decision but are expected to confirm details of his new deal soon, likely before the Premier League’s return this weekend.
The Manchester City manager will face the press on Friday to preview a crucial home game against Tottenham, and the smart money is on some form of official announcement before then.
There were those who felt after last season, and the shattering defeats in the Champions League and FA Cup, that Guardiola’s instinct was to leave.
But City, led by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, were always going to make a major play to keep him – especially with the club at a crossroads.
Guardiola will know the symbolic and strategic importance of making his decision early. It will focus the minds of his players – they have just lost four straight games and are five points off league leaders Liverpool – but also allow the club to firm up plans for a significant dip into the market in the new year.
A midfielder to replicate the impact of Rodri – Atalanta’s Ederson and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi are understood to be among the options – is high on the shopping list while City hope to make progress on other priorities, including extending Erling Haaland’s contract and renewing Kevin De Bruyne’s deal. Guardiola’s decision to commit will give both added impetus.
Guardiola’s decision is part a reflection of his deep connection with the club but also a sign that he is not yet ready to try his hand at international management, which has widely been viewed as his next step.
He had an offer from England – an opportunity that those close to him say intrigued him – but ultimately left the Football Association hanging as he weighed up his next steps.
He is manager who loves solving problems, and addressing the next stage of City’s progress as they attempt to consolidate their dominance of the domestic game and establish themselves as serial Champions League winners really appeals.
There does not appear to be any fear of the punishment that could come the club’s way if they are found guilty of a substantial number of the 115 charges either.
While that ongoing case is being conducted in secrecy can we read something into Guardiola’s decision and what it says about City’s confidence with the way the proceedings are going?
The club have certainly been bullish about their wins in the ongoing battle with the Premier League over associated party transactions. It’s worth noting they have consistently insisted they will be vindicated over the 115 charges – a message delivered privately to Guardiola with as much force as it has been publicly by club messengers.
That his new contract does not apparently include a break clause if they are relegated due to the charges is yet another detail that points to Guardiola singing from the same hymn sheet as his employers.
Upon learning of the charges Guardiola amusingly said he would turn back to Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee if the club were relegated – it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he does have to rebuild in the lower leagues.
It was perhaps indicative of City’s confidence that they let it be known that there was no interest from their side in Sporting’s prodigious coach Ruben Amorim, subsequently snapped up by city rivals Manchester United to replace Erik ten Hag.
City sources indicated that his preferred playing style – he set Sporting up with a three at the back – jars with the Guardiola-flavoured philosophy which is now embedded at the Etihad from academy sides upwards.
But it was the wider message about Guardiola’s continuing influence at the club that told a bigger story.
It is a legacy set to stretch beyond a decade – by which time he will have cemented his place as one of the most consequential figures in the club’s entire history.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/KN45DYH
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