Erling Haaland’s Man City deal shows ‘confidence’ in club – Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has said Erling Haaland‘s huge new contract shows the striker has “confidence” in Manchester City.

On Friday, Haaland penned a record 9½-year deal which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034.

It comes at a time when City are battling Premier League allegations of financial mismanagement which – if found guilty – could lead to relegation from the Premier League.

Guardiola suggested that given the uncertainty surrounding the club, the length of Haaland’s deal is significant.

“It’s confidence from Erling,” said Guardiola.

“The club knows how professional he is. In 10 years you never know what will happen. This is what he wanted. When a player decides to sign this kind of contract – never done before – it shows how much he wants to be here.

“Many things can happen in 10 years. It is proof of the trust in the club.”

Haaland’s deal, signed when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, was due to expire in 2027.

Guardiola was informed of his latest extension by director of football Txiki Begiristain and admitted he didn’t believe it when he was first told the news.

“I said ‘can you repeat?’,” Guardiola said when asked about his first reaction when he found out.

“He (Begiristain) said to me and I said ‘are you sure?’ This is good news, it means a lot. He is still young and I am sure he will improve naturally.