Manchester City have officially announced that boss Manuel Pellegrini has extended his contract with the club until 2017.
The Chilean’s previous deal was due to expire next year, but he will now remain in charge of the 2013-14 Premier League champions for the next two seasons.
Pellegrini, 61, was heading into the last year of his original three-year agreement, with speculation rife that City were planning to replace him with Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola next summer.
“I am proud to manage Manchester City and am therefore very pleased to have agreed this contract.
“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.
“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.”
Ferran Soriano, City’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“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.
“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.”
Chilean Pellegrini, 61, won a Premier League and League Cup double in his first season, but failed to win a trophy last season, when City finished runners-up to Chelsea
Former Malaga and Real Madrid boss Pellegrini became City manager in June 2013, replacing Roberto Mancini.