Manchester City’s January Dilemma: Can Guardiola’s New Deal Steady the Ship?
Manchester City might have secured Pep Guardiola’s signature on a two-year contract extension earlier this month, but the real battle is just beginning. With 16 first-team players facing contract expirations between now and the end of Guardiola’s new deal in 2027, the club is staring down a mountain of uncertainty. And let’s not forget, this is all happening against the backdrop of a turbulent season both on and off the pitch.
City’s current struggles are no secret. A shocking 4-0 loss to Tottenham at the Etihad last Saturday marked their heaviest home defeat since 2003. That was followed by a chaotic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League, where they conceded three goals in the final 15 minutes. Add to that an eight-point gap behind league leaders Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s clash at Anfield, and it’s clear the reigning Premier League champions are in unfamiliar territory.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. The club is also embroiled in a legal battle over 115 charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations. While City denies all allegations, the hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre has been ongoing since September. The potential outcomes range from fines to points deductions, and in the most extreme (albeit unlikely) scenario, expulsion from the league. This legal cloud is casting a long shadow over the club’s ability to secure its future, both in terms of player contracts and overall stability.
The Contract Conundrum
Among the 16 players with expiring contracts are some of City’s biggest names: Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. These players are the backbone of Guardiola’s squad, and their futures are now in question.
Since the financial charges were announced in February 2023, City has struggled to lock down new deals for its stars. Aside from back-up goalkeepers Stefan Ortega and Scott Carson, no first-team player has signed an extension since Kyle Walker inked a two-year deal in September 2022. The uncertainty surrounding the Premier League hearing has made players and their representatives hesitant to commit to long-term agreements.
Ticking Clock for the “Class of 2027”
Looking ahead, City faces a critical timeline for its “class of 2027.” This group includes Haaland, Grealish, Rodri, Foden, Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Mateo Kovacic, and Nathan Aké. While some may be deemed expendable, players like Haaland, Foden, Rodri, and Dias are likely top priorities for extensions. However, with the legal verdict expected in January and potential appeals dragging the process into late May, it’s unlikely any of these players will sign new deals before the dust settles.
Meanwhile, other key players have more immediate contract deadlines. Ilkay Gündogan and De Bruyne are out of contract at the end of this season. At 34 and 33 years old, respectively, both midfielders could leave next summer. De Bruyne recently admitted, “Talks will come. If no talks come, it will be my last year.”
What’s Next for City?
Beyond 2024, six players — Silva, Walker, Ortega, Ederson, John Stones, and James McAtee — will see their contracts expire in June 2026. With most of them aged 30 or older, City will need to decide whether to extend their deals or bring in fresh talent. Complicating matters further is the upcoming departure of long-serving director of football Txiki Begiristain, who will be replaced by Sporting CP’s Hugo Viana next summer.
Guardiola’s contract extension provides some stability, but it’s not a magic fix. As history shows, managers come and go. In 2015, Manuel Pellegrini signed a two-year extension only for Guardiola to take over a year later. While Guardiola’s new deal sends a positive message, the real test lies in convincing players to stay and commit to the club’s vision.
For City, the clock is ticking. The next few months will determine whether they can navigate this storm and emerge stronger or if the cracks will widen, leaving their dominance in jeopardy.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
