Manchester City are hoping to keep Pep Guardiola as manager for "years to come" in spite of recent speculation that the Spaniard could leave the Etihad before his contract expires in 2021.
Guardiola has guided City to back-to-back Premier League titles and a domestic treble last season, but although his current contract runs until 2021, there are growing rumours that he could leave ahead of that.
Guardiola, who took over at City in 2016, previously managed Barcelona for four seasons and Bayern Munich for three, but each time had to leave due to the burn-out he suffered from his intense management style.
The 48-year-old did say said last week he would like to "stay longer", although a lot may depend on hiw successful he is in the Champions League.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, while announcing a huge new investment in Man City, wants his manager to hang around for a lot longer.
Al Mubarak told Sky Sports: "Pep has been an incredible asset to this organisation. We can speak about his managerial accomplishments for hours but I think as a person, as an individual, as a friend, he's been a core part of what we've accomplished here over the last three years.
"He's very committed, we're committed to him. You've seen his interview a couple of days ago.
"We have a great relationship, we have a great environment here. The people around him, the team we have in place today, the relationships I have with them, this is really an environment that's conducive to success for both him and everyone involved in this organisation.
"So I'm very satisfied with his commitment and our commitment to him and I'm looking forward to the continuity of this for years to come."
No let-up in title challenge
City held off a strong challenge from Liverpool to win the Premier League by a point last season and this term they face an even tougher test to beat the Merseysiders.
Chasing a third successive title, City trail Liverpool by nine points after 13 games.
"What we've accomplished over the last couple of years is remarkable."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 27, 2019
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak discusses the sale of a stake which values City at $5billion, the future of Pep Guardiola, 'leader' Raheem Sterling, and more...https://t.co/hFjk7VvPJj pic.twitter.com/I6tXTILDMg
Al Mubarak said: "I think in Pep we have a leader who has shown time and time again his ability to continuously evolve and continuously challenge, and we've been in this position not once but many times before, and we've shown the character always consistently to come back.
"I think the Premier League is a very, very challenging league. That's why we all love this league.
"Winning it for the last two seasons is one of the most challenging endeavours that any person in sport can do.
"No doubt the challenge is there. We're up for it and there's still a long way to go, (we're) still in November and we'll see where we end up in May, but certainly we're up for it.
"This is a committed team, a disciplined team, a hardworking team with an exceptional manager."
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