Guardiola might extend is Manchester City contract beyond 3 years

Pep Guardiola is considering staying at Manchester City for five years, according to reports in England.

The City manager began a three-year contract at the start of the season but his side have not yet replicated the success he had at previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

City are currently fifth in the Premier League, outside the Champions League qualification places, and 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

But Guardiola has told friends he sees success at City as a long-term project and could now stay for at least five years, according to the Sun.

And the Times reports that the Catalan coach has conceded it may take longer than he expected to build a squad capable of challenging for the Champions League.

Sources have told ESPN that Guardiola and his family are happy in Manchester and that the 46-year-old is enjoying the challenge of the Premier League.

He is set to make major changes to his squad at the end of the season again following a busy transfer window last summer when nine players arrived at the club.

City are looking to bring in three defenders, a midfielder and a new goalkeeper as Guardiola makes more improvements to his squad.

There are also set to some players who will be on their way out of the Etihad. Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas and Willy Caballero are all out of contract at the end of the season while Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony, who are all out on loan, faces uncertain futures at City.

Meanwhile, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski has backed Guardiola to be a success in the Premier League.

The Poland international, who played for two seasons under Guardiola, told German newspaper Sport Bild: “The first season is always difficult. But given time it will work out for him.

“I’m sure Guardiola will get to grips with City. Even if he doesn’t win a title this season — he’ll be a success there in the end.”