Pep Guardiola has admitted he was shocked by Erling Haaland’s decision to sign a new nine-and-a-half year contract to remain at Manchester City.
The news means he will stay with City until he is 34, with reports stating that there is no release clause in the deal. And Guardiola, who committed his own future to City back in November by signing a two-year extension, “could not believe it” when the club’s CEO Ferran Sorriano informed him of Haaland’s decision.
When asked for his reaction to the news, Guardiola told Sky Sports : “When Ferran told me, I said “sorry, can you tell me again!?” Because I could not believe it. It never happened before. After that it happened, but I don’t think anybody pushed the other one. I think both [parties] wanted it.
“It is great news for the club, I hope [and expect] he is happy, otherwise he would not do it. To have this incredible talent, unique player and striker for the club, for the next decade, is really important.
“He would not sign a contract if he could not visualise his future as a football player at this club, and the potential and the challenge here – it would be impossible. I am really pleased, especially pleased he has done it in not an easy moment for us in terms of results.
“And to do it in this moment, I think, means a lot for the trust in everyone at this club. He knows in 10 years – I don’t know what’s going to happen – but he will have different backroom staff and players. So I think he signs, because he sees City in the Premier League, of course, and he sees the potential [and] that the club has been one decade at the top, for many, many years.
“I think the fact that he loves to play in the Premier League is a big compliment to the Premier League, to the whole organisation, to everyone and he wants to play for the club for many reasons – incredible clubs, incredible teams, year-by-year it’s getting better, and that is it.”
City’s outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, who will be replaced by Hugo Viana at the end of the season, hailed Haaland’s new deal and insisted the 24-year-old will “create an incredible legacy at this football club”.
“Everyone at the Club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract,” he said. “The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club.
“He has made an incredible impact already in his time here and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves. But in addition to his outstanding natural talent and ability, Erling’s dedication, professionalism, humility and desire to keep getting better sum up what we all strive to achieve at Manchester City.
“He is one of the finest strikers in world football, but Erling is still very young and will only continue to improve working under Pep and his coaching team. If he works hard, which I know he will, he will create an incredible legacy at this football club. Now he can focus on his game and continuing to play a huge part in helping us try to achieve even more success.”
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