The Mirror: Manchester City owner Mansour makes desperate bid to keep Guardiola with huge new salary offer

The Daily Mirror has confirmed that Manchester City’s owner, Sheikh Mansour, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, is mounting a fierce campaign to persuade Pep Guardiola to stay.

This week, Mansour invited Guardiola to his mansion for a meeting that had been planned long before the Catalan coach announced he would leave when his contract expires next year. Despite Guardiola’s intentions, City are not willing to let the six-time Premier League champion go and are attempting to convince him that there is still much to accomplish at the Etihad.

Recently, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak pledged to do everything in his power to convince Guardiola to sign a new deal that would extend his tenure at the club beyond a decade.

Key to City’s retention strategy, according to British media, is the expanded Club World Cup taking place in the United States in July 2025. Guardiola himself has acknowledged the allure of the new tournament, which poses a problem as his contract ends on June 30, just two weeks before the competition kicks off. If he doesn’t agree to an extension, City would need to find a replacement coach for the 2025-26 season.

It’s also noted that Guardiola’s decision won’t be solely financially driven. Nevertheless, City hopes to use an increased salary package to persuade the coach to stay. Guardiola currently earns £20 million per year at City, and the club is prepared to offer a significant wage increase, as there is a sense within the club that the departure of the Catalan coach could also lead to the exit of Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, a situation City would prefer to avoid.

Guardiola has made history at City, becoming the first manager to secure four consecutive Premier League titles and leading the club to its maiden Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup triumphs. A year ago, City claimed a treble of the Champions League, league title, and FA Cup, but Guardiola acknowledges that after eight years and numerous accolades at City, it’s challenging to find new goals to motivate himself.