Manchester City midfielder issues plea for Pep Guardiola to sign fresh contract extension with the club

Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri has urged Pep Guardiola to stay at the Etihad Stadium, with the Catalan's current contract up at the end of the ongoing season.

City have won 10 trophies since Pep Guardiola joined the club back in the summer of 2016, and went on to earn a record 100 points in the 2017/2018 season, establishing themselves as one of the best sides in Premier League history.

While Guardiola’s contract runs until the summer of 2023, questions about his future in Manchester continue to be asked as he remains tight-lipped around a new deal being agreed.

Compatriot Rodri believes that Pep Guardiola is best suited to remain in Manchester, despite spending longer at City than any other previous club he has managed.

In an interview with The Times, the Spanish international defensive midfielder gave high praise for Guardiola when discussing his desire for his boss to sign a new contract.

“We all love him, he’s done a great job in recent years,” Rodri said.

“He's our manager and if he decides to stay, we are all going to be so happy.

"I have been with Pep (Guardiola) for three years now and I hope there can be many more."

He continued, “It's a fact that coaches get tired. I saw Diego Simeone, a coach who has been 11 or 12 years with the same team, and it is understandable.

“But with this team we have for the next few years, I think Pep can see the future of this club. He has to be here. He is the perfect coach for us, and we can win more things together."

Rodri found success almost immediately after joining Manchester City in 2019, and during his time in the North-West of England has lifted the Premier League twice.

His footballing ability has seen him rise to become one of the world's best holding midfielders and is an ever-present player in the Manchester City squad.

This was seen last season, with the 26-year-old Spanish midfielder topping the Premier League charts for most passes, touches, and recoveries as he went on to win his second English top-flight winner's medal.

Rodri and Guardiola will be looking forward to a busy upcoming period of football, with three fixtures across three different competitions; Champions League, Premier League and the EFL Cup.

Manchester City will host Spanish club Sevilla on matchday six of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

With the club already progressing through to the knock-out stages of the competition, Pep Guardiola will be looking to rest and rotate his squad before attentions turns to Fulham in the Premier League on the 5th November.