Guardiola: 'A contract is just a piece of paper'

"The important thing is the result. If we get tired of each other, I will not complete the contract," Guardiola said at a press conference before the match against Everton on December 30. "The contract is just a paper. I extended it because I feel that we can still play well, like the last two games."

Guardiola's contract with Man City will expire in June 2023. According to the Guardian, the Spaniard has agreed to a one-year extension. The new contract also has an option to work until June 2025.

In the two matches after the break to make way for the 2022 World Cup, Man City won. In the League Cup, they beat rivals Liverpool 3-2. In the 17th round of the Premier League, Guardiola's teachers and students beat Leeds 3-1.

According to Guardiola, what makes him feel impressed is that most of the pillars have performed well after returning from the World Cup in Qatar, where the temperature is higher than Europe. That further motivated him to extend his contract with Man City.

"You don't know how the players will come back after the World Cup," admitted Guardiola. "Had to go back to a cold place against the most uncomfortable team in the Premier League, from a place that was 25 degrees Celsius, but they reacted very well."

In the past, Guardiola actively left Barca and Bayern. With Barca, the Spaniard even only extended his contract each season. He left Barca in 2012, after winning three La Liga, two Copa del Rey and three Champions Leagues in four years. With Bayern, he had three Bundesligas and two German Cups in three years.

Man City is currently second in the Premier League, with 35 points after 15 matches. Guardiola's teachers and students are five points behind Arsenal. Meanwhile, Newcastle followed closely with 33 points.

According to the coach who won the Premier League four times, in the early stages, Arsenal played better. However, he is optimistic that the current gap is not so large that it cannot be caught. On the evening of December 31, Man City can shorten the gap to two points if they win against Everton.

"The problem is not Arsenal or Newcastle. Whether you lead or not depends on how you perform," said Guardiola.