"I felt I needed to stay because I’m loved here," said the Spanish coach during a press conference following the announcement on Thursday that he had signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until June 2027. 

"All the decisions in my life are made based on how I feel at the time. We closed the deal in just two hours," Guardiola added. He also noted that City’s current run of four consecutive losses played a part in his decision to stay rather than leave in June when his previous contract was set to expire.

According to Guardiola, he signed the new deal to avoid the same uncertainty that surrounded this season, with constant speculation about the "end of Pep," from recurring next year. 

"'Will he renew or not?' I don’t want to be in that position. I’d love to stay for two more years, but I know if the results aren’t good, I won’t be here for those two years. The same applies to the players. We have legendary players, but you have to perform. If not, the owner and the fans will ask, 'What’s happening? Do we need to make changes?' We’re all under pressure, and I’m the first to feel it. Maybe this sounds a bit arrogant, but I think we deserve to continue because of what we’ve accomplished in recent years," he concluded.