“it was not the right time” – Guardiola explains decision to extend Manchester City stay

Pep Guardiola has revealed that he considered leaving Manchester City before the club’s recent struggles motivated him to sign a two-year contract extension this week, Soccernet.football reports.

The Spaniard’s current contract was set to expire at the end of this season, but the 53-year-old signed a new agreement on Thursday that extends until 2027.

City entered the November international break on the back of four straight defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, Sporting CP, and Brighton, marking the longest losing streak of Guardiola’s managerial career.

When asked about his decision to remain with a club he joined in 2016, Guardiola shared his thoughts with Manchester City’s in-house media team.

“I felt I could not leave now, simple as that. Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats were the reason why and I felt I cannot leave. I felt the club still want me or had the fact that we were together and that’s the reason why we sign.”

Guardiola also admitted to being uncertain about his immediate future with the reigning English champions at some point, before finally deciding to put pen to paper and extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

“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,” he continued.

“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.”