Man City pushing for Pep Guardiola to sign contract extension
The Manchester City hierarchy are pushing manager Pep Guardiola to sign a new contract, 90min understands.
Guardiola last signed an extension in November 2020, with his current deal due to expire in just over a year's time.
The Catalan went on to win the third Premier League title of his tenure last season, and City are on course to repeat that trick this campaign - currently leading Liverpool by a single point at the top of the table.
The 51-year-old has also won the League Cup four times and the FA Cup once since taking the reins at the Etihad Stadium in 2016. City reached a first Champions League final last year, but tasted defeat to domestic rivals Chelsea.
Widely regarded as one of the finest coaches on the planet, 90min understands City are keen to tie Guardiola down to another contract following his two-year extension in 2020.
An agreement could be reached swiftly, with the structure of a new deal expected to be similar to the one the manager is on now. A further two years would keep the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss at the Etihad until 2025.
However, City do not anticipate Guardiola putting pen to paper until the summer, with on-field matters set to provide a distraction until then as the club battle for both the Premier League and Champions League.
Guardiola's main rival both domestically and in Europe, Jurgen Klopp, signed a new contract with Liverpool last week, and the Citizens are hopeful that will prompt Guardiola to do the same.
The two coaches have often spoken of their mutual admiration, with Liverpool and Man City pushing each other to new heights this season and doing battle in epic encounters both in the Premier League and FA Cup. They are also on course to meet in the Champions League final as they currently hold leads from their respective semi-final first legs.
Listen now to 90min's brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott Saunders & Graeme Bailey. Toby Cudworth joins the show again this week to discuss how Erik ten Hag's appointment may affect Man Utd's pursuit of Paul Mitchell. There is also chat on the futures of Jesse Lingard & David de Gea and a look at what Newcastle are planning this summer.
Speaking about his future on Friday, Guardiola - who has previously spoken about wanting to stay at City 'forever' - said: “I’m so concerned about the last month we have ahead, and after we have time. I have a feeling that one year is a long time. I’m enjoying this part of the season and after we have time.
“I have incredible relationships with the chairman and CEO. I’m incredibly happy and could not be in a better place. I cannot visualise a better place. But it’s not just me, it’s many things, other situations. We are going to think about it.”