Despite the disappointing elimination from the Champions League, Pep Guardiola is very close to renewing his contract and for another 3 years in Etihad. The Spanish coach has assured the club's management that he is more determined than ever to triumph in the prestigious competition, and wants to try his luck again next season.
Guardiola came to the top of the "citizens" bench in 2016. This means that the Spaniard has failed 6 times to give the team its first triumph in the Champions League. The recent elimination from Real Madrid gave rise to speculation that Pep could leave, as his current contract expires at the end of the season. But Manchester City are very close to signing Erling Haaland, one of the most fit strikers of the moment. Guardiola will not miss the opportunity to cooperate with the Dortmund bomber, and this could be a major reason for the contract renewal.
Since Sergio Aguero's departure to Barcelona, City have missed a typical striker on the team. This has forced Guardiola to play with alternative game modules, often placing Jesus or De Bruyne at the center of the attack. Quality i Erling Haaland may turn out to be pieces that "citizens" have been missing from the time, on their way to European glory.
However, the Manchester City coach must first think about the remaining matches in the league. Liverpool are just 1 point away from them and the mistake could be fatal in the race for the Premier League title. City's next game will be against Newcastle, an opponent that has improved significantly in recent weeks. Guardiola knows full well that motivation will play an important role in this challenge, and the Spaniard must do his utmost to make his team forget the bitter taste of defeat against Real.
