It was the news fans had been waiting for as the boss extended his stay at the Etihad Stadium to seven years with a contract that runs until the summer of 2023.
Guardiola’s future has been the subject of plenty of media speculation since the start of the season and, unsurprisingly, the news dominated the column inches and sports bulletins.
You can see how a selection of the media reacted below…
Goal: Pep’s new contract is massive for City
Jonathan Smith: “Pep Guardiola has put an end to all uncertainty over Manchester City’s future with a quick stroke of his pen.
“His decision to stay at the Etihad for another two years is a huge statement of intent and means the focus will now move away from him and back to his team winning trophies.”
Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract. Great news for @ManCity fans, in fact it should be for all fans of the beautiful game in this country. His football is joyous.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 19, 2020
The Athletic*: Why guardiola has signed a new deal
Daniel Taylor: “For Guardiola, the key issues focused on whether he was happy in Manchester, whether he enjoyed his work and whether he felt he was capable of doing something that very few managers have managed in one spell: rebuilding a championship-winning team. The answer, in every case, was yes.
“There is a feeling from those close to Guardiola, who turns 50 in January, that this is something of new territory for him as he enters the “second phase” of being a club’s manager for the first time.
“At Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he moved on when the first phase came to an end because he did not see a way to renew it. At City, though, it is different — primarily because he trusts in and feels comfortable working with those around him.”
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Guillem Balague: He’s enjoying himself
“There were offers from Juventus, Paris St-Germain and others, but he’s happy.
“He’s enjoying himself, he’s surrounded by people he trusts, he controls the sporting decisions and is happy that nothing that happens in the changing room comes out, which used to happen at Bayern and Barcelona.
“The transition that started this summer - into a Manchester City version two, with Guardiola - will continue next summer as well.
“Most of the transition is done, but there is more to do. He feels there is room for improvement and it needed him in charge of it.”
@ManCity My manager Pep Guardiola has won 2 EPL, 1 FA Cup and 3 League Cups since 2016....Did I forget to say he’s changed the landscape of how teams play around the world now with footballing GK’s. Rest my case. Drop 🎤
— Shaun Goater MBE (@OfficialSGoater) November 19, 2020
Daily Mail: Pep staying, Messi arriving?
Martin Samuel: “One conclusion can be drawn from Thursday’s news about Pep Guardiola. Lionel Messi to Manchester City. This time it is really happening.
“Maybe in January, more likely next summer. Undeniably, though, the most logical motivation for Guardiola tying himself to the club until 2023 is the guarantee of this reunion.
“The greatest player with the greatest coach. Both titles subjective and hotly disputed but, honestly, who wouldn’t pay to see that?”
The Guardian: A chance to build his second great City team
Jonathan Wilson: “With no Champions League success since 2011, there is still unfinished business for Guardiola. The decision of whether to stay was always going to be his.
“He is, after all, by some margin the most successful manager in City’s history, and even with all the investment they have enjoyed, the seasons of 100 and 98 points remain astonishing. At a club built for Guardiola, who realistically could possibly have replaced him?”
Sky Sports: Guardiola’s project far from over
Adam Smith: “This season is quite unique, in terms of schedules and the global situation, but Guardiola‘s City project is clearly far from over, with the defensive struggles seemingly addressed and the likes of Phil Foden coming to the fore.
“The elusive Champions League trophy could well be in sight, but so could Lionel Messi...”
AS: Guardiola has made history
John Skilbeck: “City remain set up to conquer England and Europe under Guardiola, alongside wingmen Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, and now the team have to go out and achieve that, this season and in the next two.
“Is Guardiola untouchable? No, but City are in the midst of the most successful era in their 140-year history. Why risk losing the man still held up by some as the world’s best coach? Why risk somebody else having him?”
The Mirror: time for european success
David McDonnell: “Guardiola has raised the bar to an unprecedented level in English football, with back-to-back title wins achieved with 100 and 98 points, with last season’s champions Liverpool responding with 99 points, having finished runners’-up to City the previous year with 97.
“Now, on the back of his new deal, Guardiola must transfer that domestic success to the European stage and deliver the one trophy he and City are so desperate to get their hands on.”
BBC: Delight for City
Simon Stone: “City will be delighted at the news. Guardiola has won two Premier League titles - and in 2019 completed an unprecedented clean sweep of domestic trophies.
“He remains determined to secure the club’s first Champions League title though - having not got further than the quarter-finals in his time at the club.
“City will back their manager in the transfer market as they have always done and now the big question is will today’s news lead to the arrival of Lionel Messi?”
Metro: What’s to come?
Ian Parker: “City will hope Guardiola’s new deal has them heading back to the top. The youth of Phil Foden, Ferran Torres, Dias and Gabriel Jesus may offer Guardiola a foundation to build another great City side for the future.”
