Pep Guardiola's decision to sign an extension has not triggered an uptick in form
However, he insists he has no regrets after deciding to stay with the champions
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By JOE BERNSTEIN
Published: 17:30 EST, 14 December 2024 | Updated: 17:30 EST, 14 December 2024
Pep Guardiola has no regrets about choosing to stay at Manchester City, insisting he couldn’t have walked out on the club while they are in transition.
Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension last month following four consecutive defeats, but the decision has not triggered an upturn in form and on Sunday they face Manchester United having lost seven matches in 10.
‘No regrets, absolutely not. I would have regretted leaving now,’ Guardiola said. ‘I could not have slept, even worse than now, if I thought I was leaving in this situation. Impossible. Leaving now in this position, no chance.’
Guardiola also gave a strong indication that the champions would seek reinforcements to bolster the team. ‘You have to go to the market in the right moments, maybe in winter, to make the squad better,’ he said.
Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and he has been reflecting on his time at City. ‘I’ve been a professional for 16 years and 10 of those years have been here,’ he said. ‘My kids were born here and it has been my life, and that says it all.
‘I made a decision after moving around a couple of years to be somewhere steady at a top club. I’m happy, grateful and proud.’
Pep Guardiola says he would not have been able to sleep had he decided to leave Man City
He renewed his contract last month although the decision is yet to inspire a turnaround in form