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Manchester City: Pep Guardiola signs contract extension

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Manchester City Manager Josep Guardiola on stage during the Manchester City Trophy Parade in Manchester city centre on May 14, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Manchester City Manager Josep Guardiola on stage during the Manchester City Trophy Parade in Manchester city centre on May 14, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /
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It was a question City fans had nervously been debating. The ex Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach was never one to put down roots at a club. Well, of course he was a player, youth coach and then head coach at Barcelona, but only stayed four seasons in the top job.

With Barca, he was coach for only four seasons before moving on to pastures new. Heading to Germany, he dominated domestically, but the Champions League eluded him. The questions continued at City over the last two seasons. Can Pep Guardiola win the Champions League outside of Spain? Can he win it, as one journalist put it, without Messi?

His first season, by his standards, was one to forget. The second season, the one we have just finished, is one we’ll never forget. His style of play was ridiculed in the first season, and shoved it down the throats of his critics the next.

Breaking every single record the Premier League had to offer, including goals scored winning margin, wins amongst others. The criticism levelled at Pep will continue to be can he win the Champions League outside of Spain.

Now Pep Guardiola has signed an extension to his contract, seeing him through until 2021. It gives Guardiola the chance to build a dynasty in the Premier League. Arsenal had Arsene Wenger who built that perpetually winning side. Three Premier League, and three FA Cup trophies in his first seven seasons.

Ferguson, at United, didn’t start off as successful, but was eventually able to get his sides winning at a consistent rate. Pep has the financial backing, and know-how, to build something special at the Etihad.

And it is not just Manchester City who will benefit from Peps style. England head coach, Gareth Southgate, is a big fan of the City head coach. Will that translate into England lifting the World Cup in July? Probably not. It has seen the adoption of young, skillful players rather than our usual, and much older International squads. That has to be a good thing.

It must be noted though, two years after he began at Barcelona as the first team head coach, Spain won the World Cup. Pep moved for Spain to Germany in 2013, and the World Cup moved a year later.

Next: Guardiola: Tactically Untouchable

So, make no mistake, as the transfer window in England opens Manchester City have made two massive signings. Pep Guardiola’s future has been settled with this contract, and that brings stability. Not just for the current squad, but for players who may be hoping City come calling in the next few weeks.

It follows quickly on the heels of Ederson committing his future to the club until 2025. Sure, an argument could be made that contracts mean nothing. After all, contracts are terminated at the swipe of a pen (just ask Big Sam). While that’s true, it does show commitment to the project City are embarking on.