Erling Haaland issues update on personal Manchester City future and Pep Guardiola’s contract | OneFootball

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has spoken openly about his future within the game, as well as that of his legendary head coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian’s commitment earlier in 2025 to a decade-long contract extension marked one of the most remarkable statements of loyalty in modern football, especially amid long-standing Real Madrid links.

City themselves are entering a period defined by forward-looking transition. With Guardiola contracted until 2027, the club’s internal planning has become a recurring theme across recent updates. Haaland has repeatedly emphasised his satisfaction with life in Manchester, and a new interview offers a rare and detailed glimpse into behind-the-scenes conversations.

There has also been heightened media attention around Pep Guardiola’s long-term intentions, fuelled by the Catalan’s hints that his future beyond 2027 remains genuinely undecided. Haaland’s reflections now serve to reinforce the sense that, while Guardiola was an important factor in his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, the striker has committed to something wider.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast, Erling Haaland offered further insight into his future within the game and the specific reasoning as to why he committed his contract to Manchester City for the next 10 years early in 2025.

“I also signed it because of conversations that I’ve had with the [club’s] bosses and also the plan in the next years, and that was something I wanted to be a part of,” Haaland told Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer from Manchester City’s training centre studio facility.

The Norwegian continued, “And yeah, I’m calm, I’m focused, and I’m really happy here, so it’s a really good place to be for development and also in the end, England, it’s a football country, and I think it’s the best place to play football.”

Offering some thoughts on what the future holds for his manager, Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City striker said, “I mean, he signed a new contract, was it before or after me? I’m not sure.

“But I knew he was staying for another year, year and a half with his contract. But most conversations were with his bosses and my boss, because I remember my father said like 10 years ago, ‘Never go to a club because of the manager’, which sometimes can be difficult.

“But also, you never know what’s going to happen in the modern world. But again, Pep was a big reason why I came to City, of course, to work with him and to be able to experience him and his special ways and his hard work and all of these things. So it’s kind of a mix there.”

Erling Haaland’s detailed reflections may ease concerns among supporters who feared that persistent Real Madrid rumours might eventually sway him. His insistence that City’s long-term vision was central to his renewal aligns strongly with the club’s broader strategy, particularly as they continue shaping the squad around young, high-ceiling talent.

Pep Guardiola’s future will inevitably remain a topic of discussion, especially with just two seasons left on his current deal. Haaland’s admission that he cannot predict what may happen in modern football reflects the uncertainty. However, the striker’s clear trust in City’s hierarchy hints that the club is preparing thoroughly for a post-Guardiola world.

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s recruitment strategy and contract management appear likely to tighten further, ensuring stability during what could become the most transformative phase of the Pep Guardiola era.

Whether the Catalan stays until 2027 or decides on an earlier departure, Haaland’s commitment ensures that Manchester City retain a world-class anchor around whom the next generation can be built around.