Manchester City happy for Pep Guardiola contract talks to progress 'naturally'

Spaniard has less than a year left on current deal but chairman Al Mubarak insists bond between club and manager remains strong

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has less than a year to go on his current contract. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has less than a year left on his contract with the club, but chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak expects talks over any new deal to be resolved "naturally".

Two-times Premier League winner Guardiola has a close relationship with City's director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano, who all worked together at Barcelona.

Khaldoon says the way City operate behind the scenes means there is no rush to resolve Guardiola's contract situation.

The Spaniard, 49, took charge at City on an initial three-year deal in 2016 but extended that by a further two seasons in 2018.

"We have such an understanding me and Pep, the ecosystem we have between Txiki, Ferran, the entire club, that this conversation with Pep is a natural conversation," Khaldoon said in an interview with the club's official website.

"Pep and I have a very clear understanding about what is right for the club and what is not. We have a clear alignment in terms of where we see the future and what we want in terms of success for the club.

"I think again, it will be a comfortable conversation and it will work out in the best way for Pep, for me and for the club," he said.

Despite the criticism Guardiola has faced for his team selection in the Champions League defeat to Lyon, there has been no suggestion that the City hierarchy has lost confidence in the Spaniard, who has delivered two league titles, one FA Cup and three consecutive League Cups for the club.

Indeed, it appears it will be very much Guardiola's decision as to how long he stays with the club. "We have the right people involved. We have the right trust in each other," said Khaldoon.

City's all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero is also entering the final season of his contract and having lost David Silva, who returned to Spain with Real Sociedad after his contract expired, there is concern among City fans about the future of the Argentine forward.

"To have a player like David essentially commit 10 years of his life to the club. To have a player like Sergio Aguero to do the same. This is what tells me we have it right," said Khaldoon.

"They are part of the DNA of the club now and their decision over continuing or stopping, it’s the comfort zone that they have to decide. It was the same way with Vincent [Kompany]. He left when he felt it was right for him to leave and the same thing with David.

"Sergio is going to be the same and we will work it out together and it will be very natural, wherever that is, this year or the year after. It will play out in a comfortable way whatever Sergio decides," he said.

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