Manchester City fans urge manager Guardiola to stay with public banner

Manchester City fans hung a giant banner inside Etihad Stadium on Saturday with a special message for Pep Guardiola ahead of their Premier League game against Fulham.

In the manager's native Catalan language, the banner read Pep Guardiola Volem Que Et Quedis!' translating to We want you to stay!"

Guardiola's contract expires at the end of the season and he has not indicated if he will extend his stay, having joined in 2016.

On Friday, he offered to pay for the gesture when he learned that fans had raised a reported 1,000 pounds ($1,300) to create the banner.

I don't want them to spend money for that reason but, what can I say? Thank you so much," he said.

Guardiola has overseen an unprecedented period of success since taking over at City, including winning a record four straight English league titles. City has been crowned champion six out of the last seven years and won the treble including the Champions League and FA Cup in 2023.

In total, Guardiola has won 15 major trophies