Breaking News: Pep Guardiola Teases on Contract Extension as Jack Grealish and Man City Dazzle New York Due to…

Breaking News: Pep Guardiola Teases on Contract Extension as Jack Grealish and Man City Dazzle New York Due to…

Pep Guardiola is in the final year of his Manchester City contract and could be forgiven for treating this summer’s trip to the United States as a farewell tour.

Back in New York, where he spent a year’s sabbatical after leaving Barcelona, Guardiola threw himself into City’s promotional activities as they closed down a busy Manhattan block off Fifth Avenue on Thursday, with Jack Grealish shooting some hoops before getting on the decks as DJ at the downtown block party.

There was a basketball theme as Guardiola was asked about his friendship with Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. The City chief watched a game in Boston over the summer and met up with Mazzulla, who had visited Manchester in February. Mazzulla was in North Carolina to see City’s opening friendly on Tuesday night with the pair catching up in Chapel Hill.

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Speaking at the PUMA block party, Guardiola said he talked tactics with Mazzulla before a recent finals game for the Celtics. “We were privileged because a few days before the final it was nice to listen to the game plan,” the City chief said.

“We were talking about to control things. It was really nice. There are similarities between the games. It’s the highest competition: the NBA finals are the best of every player. It was really cool to be there and listen.

“[Coaching] is easy, they are human beings – treat them normally. They have skills, play well, the rest they are normal. We’re together for 11 months, more than our family and friends.”

And when Guardiola was asked about his motivations to keep going at the highest level, he offered another insight into what he will consider when deciding whether to stay at City beyond the summer of 2025.

“If you love what you do, why should I stop?” he asked. “I like it – as much they hired me – so let’s go.”

Guardiola hasn’t decided his future, and it was reported earlier this summer that the expectation was that he will leave at the end of the season. This week he says he is refreshed after a much-needed summer break and is ‘really excited’ for the season. He gave a similar insight into his summer mentality on Monday: “I’m really happy here.”

Guardiola was one of the main attractions in New York just like he was in North Carolina, as were Grealish and Erling Haaland. Accompanied by some young players, City showcased their new third kit which was also for sale a few blocks away at the club’s pop-up store at the Rockefeller Center.

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With an official release set for Friday morning, Oscar Bobb jumped the gun on social media by sharing (and then deleting) images in the maroon shirt, but by that time hundreds were already wearing it around New York – including the likes of Grealish and Haaland.

Some fans had camped overnight to get one of the 100 walk-in tickets for a signing session with Ederson and Josko Gvardiol – and by mid-morning there were well more than that many Blues fans queuing round the block to meet their heroes. Inside, American Football college star Jalen Milroe exchanged shirts with Gvardiol and the pair bonded over playing at the top level of their sports while still in their early twenties.

City are planning a number of other promotional events in the Big Apple during their four-day stay. Guardiola will speak to the media on Friday evening before they take on AC Milan at the iconic Yankee Stadium.