PEP GUARDIOLA HAS reaffirmed his commitment to Premier League champions Manchester City and ruled out a return to Barcelona.
Guardiola led City to an unprecedented domestic treble last term, although they fell short of Champions League glory once more.
The Catalan was then linked with a move to Juventus as a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri, but indicated he was not interested in a switch to Serie A with Maurizio Sarri instead lured from Chelsea.
Former Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has long been linked with a return to Barcelona, where as manager he won the Champions League twice, as well as a trio of LaLiga titles.
But in an interview with Catalan newspaper Ara, Guardiola indicated he sees his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, with his City contract running to 2021.
“I have everything here, sincerely, everything I need,” Guardiola said of City, who have won the Premier League two years running.
Work at home [in Spain] is more wearing because the emotions are so intense and the press conferences harder.
“Here, in Manchester, I have [director of football] Txiki [Begiristain], who is the most important person of my career because he trusted me when I was no one.
“I have [chief executive] Ferran [Soriano] also, who sometimes asks, ‘How can it be so cold?’. But, at the same time, he manages with a brutal precision.
When I win I am good, when I lose I am bad. That is the same everywhere, but in this club we are three or four people deciding in the sporting area, there isn’t the noise of 18 board members.
“I extended my contract because we have a young team, I have everything I desire to do my job. I won’t go back here [to Barcelona] or Germany.
“Where can I find facilities so good as in such a beautiful league as the Premier League?”
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So he’s not going to Newcastle then
@Richard O’Brien: Thought he was a shoe-in for Derby County. Everything he needs there too.. sorry, except the bottomless pit of money.
@An Observer: your not suggesting that the reason he’s so successful is the cash he can flash are you. The citeh fans won’t like that
@Richard O’Brien: An awful lot more to management than money. Obviously he can buy whoever he wants but then he has to handle all those huge egos, keep them happy and get them playing for the team, which I think is the secret to his success. If it was just about money Mickey Mouse could be manager.
@ger o’ dwyer: thanks for the lesson and I don’t necessarily disagree but I think it takes a better manager to be successful without the cash
@Richard O’Brien: careful now, in the spirit of the 21st century we shouldn’t take the piss out of minority groups.
Great to hear a man with extensive knowledge of the game commenting about how good a league the premiership is, a lot of haters out their saying the premier league is a joke, because only one or two teams can win it, which is not to far from the truth, but the overall competition for placing is brilliant and always throws up battles for the winners, top four, europa spots and relegation.
@Devilsavocado: I mean isn’t that the case for most of the top leagues in Europe?
@Devilsavocado: style of football lacking still. Too many foreigners. Should see if this year was a one off in terms of Europe, Spain has pretty much ruled the roost for a decade or more on the club and international scene. Best players like Hazard still know the best gravy. Lots love the hustle n bustle of the premier league but prob know little else.
Earth to Chippy!?