Here are the Manchester City evening headlines for Friday, November 20.
Pep took City to the top level – Begiristain
Pep Guardiola's 'addictive' approach and winning style was enough to convince Manchester City to agree a new two-year contract for the manager.
That is according to City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain, who predicted that the future is bright with Guardiola at the helm until 2023.
Begiristain said : “Pep took us – the club – to the top level, the maximum you can get.
“You want to see that.
“It’s what anyone would like to see when you watch football – playing in the opponents’ half, winning the ball back immediately, creating chances, scoring goals, keeping clean sheets like we had last year.
“That kind of perfection – when you feel it, you want it every weekend.”
Rivaldo predicts Messi exit at Barcelona
Barcelona legend Rivaldo believes that Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona this summer.
The Argentine was heavily linked with a move to City in the most recent transfer window after airing his frustrations with the Barca board.
“Reaching an agreement to renew Messi's contract is going to be tough with a reduced margin to increase his salary," Rivaldo wrote in his Betfair column.
"Of course, Messi will have better offers from other clubs and was already trying to leave the club by the end of last season. I can't see how our board will convince him to move back on that decision.
“In my opinion, only winning the Champions League or LaLiga this season or having [Ronald] Koeman getting the team playing beautiful football can convince Messi to reconsider his options.
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid this will be his last season with the club."
Pep is keen for Messi to stay at Barca
City boss Guardiola wants Messi to finish his career in Barcelona.
Guardiola's decision to sign a new two-year deal at the Etihad has led to more rumours linking City with an attempt to prise an unhappy Messi away from the Nou Camp.
Messi is continuing to voice his complaints about Barcelona, despite the ousting of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and he could leave the club for free next summer.
Guardiola said : “Messi is a player from Barcelona, if you ask me my opinion I have a huge gratitude for what Barcelona has done for me, in the academy, as a player and as a manager, they gave me absolutely everything, what I want is for him to finish his career there.
"I would like, as a Barcelona fan, that Leo finishes there, but this is his final year of contract and I don't know what's going to happen in his mind.
"Right now he's a Barcelona player and the transfer market will be in June or July.
“We have incredible games to play and achievements to try and achieve and this is only in our minds."
