Manchester City signing Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window was a key factor in Pep Guardiola’s decision to sign a new contract with the club.
City announced on Wednesday that Guardiola had put pen to paper on a new two-year extension which will see him stay at the club until June 2025. It was a major statement of intent for the defending Premier League champions, considering his previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season.
If he sees out the contract, Guardiola, who spent four years at Barcelona and three with Bayern Munich, will have been with City for nine years. “I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible,” he said upon signing his new deal.
One of the factors that Guardiola is referring to is Haaland, who joined City in a £51million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. The Norwegian has hit the ground running in Manchester, scoring a remarkable 23 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions so far.
The Athletic reports that Guardiola was desperate to land Haaland and that his arrival has helped convince him to stay put with City until 2025. City needed to replace club legend Sergio Aguero after his departure to Barcelona, but missed out on signing Harry Kane in the summer of 2021.
City executives were keen to sign Cristiano Ronaldo once it became clear that he was leaving Juventus. Guardiola and his coaches pushed back against the idea and Ronaldo ended up joining rivals Manchester United.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Manchester City win the Premier League and Champions League this season, with the Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland combination? Comment below.
The report states that some City club sources believe that if Ronaldo had joined City, Guardiola would likely not have committed his future to the club. Guardiola did not think the 37-year-old would suit his pressing playing style and, after they looked at Aleksandar Isak and Dusan Vlahovic, they landed on Haaland.
City trail Arsenal at the top of the Premier League during the break for the World Cup, but with Haaland on 18 goals from 13 league appearances, Guardiola is confident that they can defend their title.
“I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade,” he said. “It happened over the last ten years, and it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.
“From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place. I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.”
City will be back in action against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on December 22 before returning to the Premier League against Leeds on December 28 and Everton on New Year’s Eve.
