Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that new signing Erling Haaland would be happy at the Etihad Stadium even if the Citizens were to change manager.
With the Spaniard’s contract set to expire in June 2023 and with no guarantee that he will agree to fresh terms, the gaffer has said that a decision on his future will be taken. However, with City signing Haaland from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year deal, the Norwegian would expect to play under the celebrated gaffer for longer than 12 months.
And replying to this, Guardiola said:
“The players who come here don’t come to play for me, they come to play in this league and for this club.”
He stressed upon how everything is important, starting right from the fans to the team, from the city they play in to the level of the league, from the expectations to the results.
“People come not just for a month or a year. Sergio [Agüero] came here and did 10 years, David Silva came here and did 10 years and Vincent [Kompany, actually 11] the same and Yaya Touré [eight years]. Many important players arrive here and stay a long time. How long depends if they are happy here.
“What we do is make them feel happy in the city, in the locker room, playing in the Premier League and many things. After that, who knows what will happen. But this is the idea.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola also indicated that Haaland will have to show the right mentality to excel at the club. He said that Haaland’s success at the Etihad will depend on how he adapts to the new environment and their style of play.
City are currently at the top of the Premier League standings with 90 points. They lead Liverpool by four points although the Reds have one game in hand.
