Manchester City, manager Manuel Pellegrini agree to contract extension
Manchester City extended the contract of manager Manuel Pellegrini, keeping him with the Premier League squad through the 2017 season, the team announced Friday.
Pellegrini, 61, who has also managed San Lorenzo, Villarreal, Real Madrid, and Málaga in his career, first signed with Manchester City in 2013 after he took over for Roberto Mancini.
In his first campaign with the team in 2013-14, he led Manchester City to the Premier League title and League Cup. Manchester City finished second in the league last season behind Chelsea.
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“We are delighted to reach this agreement with Manuel Pellegrini who has already contributed so much to the development of Manchester City in his first two years with us and we look forward to further progress in the seasons ahead,” the team said in a statement. "This agreement allows Manuel to focus on the challenge of guiding a team capable of both fighting for domestic titles and competing for European honours."
There was speculation about Pellegrini’s future with the team, as the team struggled during the latter part of season and managers such as Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola being linked to the job.
"I have a very good quality group of players and a great team of people to work with on and off the field and at all levels of the club,” Pellegrini said. "I am focused on the coming season and confident that my team and I will respond to the constant support shown to us by everyone including of course our fantastic fans."
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Manchester City opens the 2015-16 Premier League season Monday on the road against West Bromwich Albion.
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