Pellegrini extends contract

New deal for manager until 2017 amid Guardiola speculation

Manuel Pellegrini has signed a new two year contract extension, the club have announced today. Pellegrini's existing deal was due to expire at the end of the forthcoming season, and there was growing speculation that Pep Guardiola had been lined up to take over next summer.

Ferran Soriano, City's CEO, said: "We are delighted to reach this agreement with Manuel Pellegrini who has already contributed so much to the development of Manchester City in his first two years with us and we look forward to further progress in the seasons ahead.

"This agreement allows Manuel to focus on the challenge of guiding a team capable of both fighting  for domestic titles and competing for European honours."

Pellegrini himself added, "I am proud to manage Manchester City FC and am therefore very pleased to have agreed this contract. 

"I have a very good quality group of players and a great team of people to work with on and off the field and at all levels of the Club. 

"I am focussed on the coming season and confident that my team and I will respond to the constant support shown to us by everyone including of course our fantastic fans."