Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he cannot leave the club after suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career.
Guardiola has signed a two-year contract with City that will keep him at the club until 2027.
The 53-year-old Spaniard joined City in 2016 and has won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles.
His contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, and he signs a new deal following defeats to Tottenham, Brighton, Sporting and Bournemouth.
“I felt like I couldn’t leave now. Maybe the four defeats were the reason,” Guardiola said on the club’s website.
“I think we deserve, after four consecutive defeats, to recover and try to change the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I’m not arrogant when I say it, but it’s the truth.”
Guardiola said he is determined to help City “overcome” their current difficult situation and reach a level where “they are more stable and more consistent” to scale the heights of the past.
“We have to recover that because right now we don’t have it and that is the objective we have to achieve,” he added.
Guardiola also stated that being in charge of City “means a lot” to him and that he has “everything a coach could want” at the club.
“This is my ninth season here. We have lived many incredible moments together. I have a very special feeling for this football club,” he said.
“I hope that now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Guardiola was reported to have agreed a new contract on Wednesday and the club confirmed the news a day later.
