Pep Guardiola agrees in principle to Manchester City

He seems to be aiming for another Premier League trophy this year. Guardiola's previous deal with City was due to expire in 2023. According to The Sun, he accepted a two-year extension, and the announcement arrived 48 hours after Jurgen Klopp agreed to renew his contract with Liverpool, which binds him to the club till 2026. He was asked whether the German's renewal would motivate him to sign a new contract at City; Guardiola replied on Friday: "No no no, honestly, I'm so concerned about the last three weeks of the season I don't have time."

Guardiola's stay might pacify their pursuit of Haaland.

Surprisingly, the tables have turned, and the City chiefs have received affirmation regarding his stay until 2025, which might even work in favour of their pursuit of Erling Haaland. He will be available for $80 million starting July 1 after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expires. In 2021, Chelsea was about to make a $210 million offer for the talented Norwegian, but Dortmund was open to the idea of giving him away. Unfortunately, they are bound to offer him at a lesser price now. The City will propose a lucrative contract that could make him Premier League's top earner at $630k per week. 

The 21-year-old is enthusiastic about working with Guardiola, one of the best managers in the game's history. According to reports, City has always been Haaland's favourite player but the Norwegian international needs Guardiola to lead the team. The German side bettered the efforts of Leeds 4-0 on Saturday and continued their exceptional Premier League run alongside Liverpool, who also emerged victorious in their recent trip to Newcastle. If they become a finalist, Liverpool will give them tough competition. The former won 2-0 against Villarreal in their semi-finals first-leg clash.

Barcelona might end up rehiring Guardiola.

Meanwhile, Guardiola had previously implied that he would retire early. However, he is expected to be in the vicinity of football even after he leaves Manchester City. He additionally expressed his desire to coach on the national team level, with four potential jobs currently on his list of international offers: Spain, England, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Barcelona plans to re-sign Guardiola, who was in charge of the club between 2008 and 2012. 

The 51-year-old might join the La Liga legends if he leaves City or shift to Rio to work for the Brazilian national side. It seems unlikely for Guardiola to join Juventus, England, Paris Saint-Germain, New York City FC, or make a move to any Qatar club. In his coaching career, he has won all the big European trophies in football, becoming the first person to have done so. He joined City in 2016 after his tenures in Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.