Pep Guardiola has sensationally agreed to stay for another year at Manchester City, with the option of extending the deal until 2027.

As the Athletic first reported, the Catalan, who has dominated English football by winning six of the last seven Premier League titles and also won the club their first Champions League and Club World Cup title, will take his time at the Etihad to more than a decade if he sees out his new deal. Already the longest-serving manager in the top flight, Guardiola's extension moves him to within two years of Les McDowall as the longest-serving City manager in their post-war history.

City's intentions to secure Guardiola for another contract were never in doubt, with the club hierarchy in no doubt that he remains the best manager in the world. The reservations came from Guardiola, who has had considerable pain from a back injury that required surgery last season and needed to be convinced in his mind that he was making the right decision for himself - knowing that he would like to coach an international team before he retires - and his family.

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Guardiola would not be rushed into a decision, but after taking time to deliberate has been convinced that he has the energy to commit to the club until at least 2026 and possibly 2027. The news should boost the team in the short-term, who are on their worst-ever run under the manager of four consecutive defeats in all competitions but remain well-placed at such an early point in the season.

The decision also adds security and stability for the long-term. Guardiola staying allows him to build a relationship with incoming sporting director Hugo Viana to limit the loss of the departing Txiki Begiristain and rebuild an ageing squad, while it also means the manager will be in place when the final outcome into City's charges is known.

City refused to comment but a formal announcement is expected later this week, with Guardiola's regular press conference on Friday ahead of the Spurs game expected to be dominated by talk of his decision.