Paul Merson told Sky Sports that Liverpool have ‘made’ Pep Guardiola sign a new two-year contract at Manchester City.
On top of having ‘unfinished business’ in the Champions League, Merson feels Man City getting beat to the title by Liverpool last season has also played a part in Guardiola extending his stay.
Whilst the former Barcelona coach has wowed all by dominating on the domestic circuit, he is yet to achieve the ultimate feat of guiding Man City to the Champions League crown.
Former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder, Merson shared his thoughts on Guardiola’s deal and made quite the claim.
“No, [I wasn’t surprised Pep signed a new deal] I think there is unfinished business with the Champions League,” said Merson. “I don’t think they have performed in that [competition] to the standard in which they [usually] do.
“I think with Liverpool beating them last season, he wants to turn that around. Pep Guardiola is one of them managers, for how great he is, you are only going to realise how great he is when he has left. We sort of take him for granted.
“Liverpool I think have made him sign a new two-year contract.”
The one cloud that will follow Guardiola is that he is yet to conquer Europe without star man Lionel Messi.
But he has another two years to prove to the world that he can achieve that feat, and maybe, just maybe, he could do it with the little magician next season.
Given the troubles Messi is encountering at the Nou Camp, it seems as though he will be heading for the exit door next summer and his next destination may well be the Etihad.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
