Summary

  • Pep Guardiola to extend Man City contract for another year, until June 2026

  • Legendary manager to make it 10 years at City, with reports of an option for a further year

  • Guardiola has won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League in historic Treble season, in eight years

  • Nations League reaction: Wales beat Iceland 4-1 to gain promotion

  • Vote & Get Involved: Is Guardiola Premier League's best ever manager? #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 10:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Who is the best manager is impossible to say as they all have different resources. Pep is certainly very good, but he's had great resources and a good structure around him. His inability to get the best out of everyone and possibly not maximising a very good academy (which can be seen in the injury crisis) are his weak points. What he's won is still outstanding, by any measure. If he's not the best, he's in the top five.

    J (not a City fan)

  2. Vieira named new Genoa bosspublished at 10:10 Greenwich Mean Time

    Patrick VieiraImage source, Getty Images

    News out of Italy, Serie A club Genoa have just made Patrick Vieira their new first-team coach.

    Vieira, 48, managed Crystal Palace between 2021 and 2023 and left his last club, Strasbourg, by mutual consent in the summer.

  3. Guardiola 'seemed to indicate that he was more minded to stay'published at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

    It's something that Manchester City have been working at for quite a while. At the end of last season Pep Guardiola said he was more likely to stay than go, his contract expires at the end of the season and then in the summer he seemed to indicate that he was more minded to stay.

    I think Manchester City have kind of been working on that. Guardiola, just before the international break, I actually asked him whether or not he was going to Abu Dhabi because his last two contract extensions had been agreed in November, after trips to Abu Dhabi to see the club's ownership. He was adamant that wasn't the case but he did say, when there is anything to say about the contract, we will say it.

    Well, they haven't said it yet, Manchester City, it's probably worth pointing that out. City are not commenting but there's plenty of sources and media outlets, including ourselves, who are pretty convinced that this all has been agreed and that it is just an announcement twe are waiting for now.

  4. Postpublished at 10:03 Greenwich Mean Time

    Just going back to Tristan's Get Involved.

    Is Sir Alex Ferguson Novak Djokovic then, or is that Pep?

    Which Premier League manager is Rafa Nadal? Who most reminds you most of Roger Federer?

    We need answers.

  5. What are we talking about today?published at 10:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    Good morning!

    Two things.

    Pep Guardiola has agreed a one-year contract extension, we're reacting to that news.

    And Wales fans, we're also after your celebrations after Craig Bellamy's side was promoted to the Nations League League A last night.

  6. Postpublished at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    And for those BBC Live Text super fans who will be eager for updates, yesterday's live text hero Cold Palmer may be out for the next few matches.

    Here's Tuesday morning, and Tuesday night. :(

    A snowman and a melted snowmanImage source, Joe, BBC Live Text team
  7. Postpublished at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time

    Thanks for the message Tristan and happy you've still got snow.

    It's all melted away in Salford, you won't be catching us doing a Winter Milan BBC Football Snow XI today.

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    These comparisons are a bit of light hearted relief but ultimately pointless. The only measure of success can be results. Hence Djokovic is better than Nadal and Federer. The rest is conjecture.

    Tristan. In the snowy Cotswolds.

  9. 'Guardiola has continually backed Man City over Premier League charges'published at 09:47 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Pep Guardiola has signed contract extensions in May 2018, November 2020 and November 2022. Speaking in May after City's historic fourth successive league title, Guardiola said he was "closer to leaving than staying".

    Guardiola later said "part of me is leaving" when director of football Txiki Begiristain announced in October that he - a long-time ally - would be moving on from City at the end of the season.

    Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola said he wanted to be "really convinced" that any extension of his own stay would be "the best for the club".

    The uncertainty over Guardiola’s future has been cited by some as a reason for the team's poor form.

    There is also no timescale for the outcome of the disciplinary case brought by the Premier League for the 115 charges against City, which the club deny but could bring a huge sanction if guilt is established. Guardiola has continually backed the club and said critics need to wait for the final decision in the case before rushing to condemn.

    He is the longest-serving current manager in the Premier League, after Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in the summer.

  10. Guardiola 'committed himself beyond the outcome of the hearing'published at 09:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

    It is quite interesting. It felt to me as though [Manchester City boss] Pep Guardiola was defending the club this year. He's brought up the situation with the charges himself on a couple of occasions when he didn't really need to and he has always been resolute in his defence of the club and insisted that people within the club, who insist that they've done nothing wrong, are telling him what he believes to be the truth.

    He will stand by the club and is also warning against a rush to judgement. We don't quite know when this hearing is going to conclude and we don't know when there is going to be a decision.

    It would be fairly safe to assume that it will be at some point this season. So yes, he has committed himself beyond the outcome of the hearing, which he and we don't know what that will be.

  11. Postpublished at 09:37 Greenwich Mean Time

    Found Rio Ferdinand's burner account!

    People try and make comparisons of who's better. Just enjoy it man, we're lucky to be in this time

    Rio FerdinandImage source, Getty Images
  12. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Pep vs Fergie, Messi vs Ronaldo, Scholes vs Gerrard vs Lampard. Does it matter who is THE BEST? Pep is in the top echelons of managers and that is enough. Just enjoy his body of work.

    Chris

  13. 'Klopp considered Man Utd flop Antony when Salah talks stalled'published at 09:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    Today's newspapers

    Metro

    Perhaps the Pep Guardiola news broke after the Metro laid out today's back page as it leads on Jurgen Klopp reportedly floating the idea of replacing Mohamed Salah with Antony, before Salah agreed a new deal at Liverpool and Antony left Ajax for Manchester United.

    Can you imagine if that came about?!

    Back page of the Metro on 20 November 2024Image source, Metro
  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    You can click on the poll above to say whether you think Pep Guardiola is the best manager in Premier League history.

    So far, 56% of you think not.

    We want to know why you think not though. What more does he need to achieve with Manchester City? Can he never be the best ever because of the situation he stepped into at the Etihad? Who has been a better manager and why?

    Let us know your thoughts via the usual channels above.

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Henry, a Leeds fan living in Camden:Re: Matt at 08:45 I think Kalvin Phillips might have something to say about your claim there isn't a City player that Pep hasn't improved. He went from England's player of the year in 2020 to being shipped out on loan, a shadow of his former self after his time at City. Pep's a great manager, but his player improvement record is definitely not 100%.

    Pep Guardiola talking to Kalvin PhillipsImage source, Getty Images
  16. Bellamy's 'unrealistic' aim? To make Wales a top teampublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    Wales 4-1 Iceland

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    Craig Bellamy could scarcely have wished for a better start as Wales head coach.

    The former captain is unbeaten with three draws and three wins, rounding off his first campaign with Tuesday's emphatic 4-1 victory over Iceland to secure promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

    Perhaps more significantly, winning Group B4 also means Wales have almost guaranteed themselves at least a play-off place for the 2026 World Cup.

    This has all been done as Bellamy aims to instil a progressive new style of play, one which he hopes will help Wales not only qualify for major tournaments, but allow them to make a "big impact" when they get there.

    With Wales now having to wait until March 2025 before they return to action, BBC Sport Wales takes a closer look at Bellamy's first campaign.

    Wales coach Craig Bellamy shakes hands with Harry Wilson after the team's Nations League win over IcelandImage source, PA Media
  17. Wales promoted as Cullen sparks comeback against Icelandpublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    Wales 4-1 Iceland

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

    ICYMI, Wales pulled off an improbable return to the Nations League's top tier as they came from behind to beat Iceland convincingly in Cardiff – with Montenegro's win over Turkey helping secure promotion for Craig Bellamy’s side.

    Turkey had started the night at the summit of Group B4, with Wales two points behind in second place and Iceland a further two points back in third.

    Needing to win at Cardiff City Stadium while also hoping for a favour from Montenegro, Welsh hopes took an early hit as Andri Gudjohnsen fired Iceland ahead in the seventh minute, following up sharply after Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward had made a brilliant save from Orri Oskarsson's header.

    But Liam Cullen's first two international goals – one from Brennan Johnson's inviting cross, the second helping Daniel James' half-saved shot over the line – put Wales in front at half-time.

    Cullen set up Johnson to score Wales' third with a cool finish after the break, before Harry Wilson struck his fourth goal in five international appearances with a sumptuous dipping effort from 20 yards.

    Ben Davies celebrates following Wales' Nations League win over Iceland in CardiffImage source, PA Media
  18. How does Guardiola compare to other legendary managers?published at 08:54 Greenwich Mean Time

    As Pep Guardiola agrees a new contract to stay at Manchester City for another season, BBC Sport looks at how he compares to other legendary club managers.

    We have 12 bosses to pick from in our poll here, and if you need to know a bit more about any of them, we have the key details.

    Manager Pep Guardiola kisses the Premier League trophy after Manchester City win the title in 2024Image source, Reuters
  19. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Matt, a Liverpool fan, West Kensington: I hear your criticism Mike but I can’t think of a City player who’s arrived and Pep hasn’t made them better. Not only that, motivating your players year in, year out, is tremendously hard because hardly any manager can do it like Pep. How do you win the Treble then back it up and win the league the next season versus a very good Arsenal side? It’s bonkers.

    Remember, you can vote in our poll above on whether Pep Guardiola is the Premier League's best ever manager.

  20. Pep or not Pep? Take our quotes quizpublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    Pep Guardiola isn't leaving as Manchester City manager just yet.

    He has agreed a new one-year deal at the club - taking him to summer 2026 - as he looks to add to the 18 trophies he has already won at the club.

    We've already looked at some of Guardiola's most famous quotes - but can you spot the ones that aren't his in our quiz?