Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has revealed the squad's huge desire for Pep Guardiola to commit his future to the club beyond his current contract, which winds down next summer.
Full of praise for Guardiola, City's Croatian defender lauded the Spaniard for transforming his game since his big-money transfer from RB Leipzig. Gvardiol, who played a pivotal role in City clinching an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, is eager for more triumphs under Guardiola's tutelage.
The 22-year-old star told the Mirror: "Pep is always passionate and focused. He's constantly innovating and motivating us. We would all love for him to stay longer because he brings out the best in us and has built something special here.
"Working under Pep is so rewarding. He constantly pushes us to reach our full potential and be perfect in every aspect of our game. His high standards and incredible attention to detail have helped me grow as a player and as a person."
Guardiola, who has clinched six titles in eight years in Manchester, asserts that his future will be determined by the zeal demonstrated by his players. Despite winning the Premier League in his debut campaign with City, Gvardiol has some unfinished business.
The defender, born in Zagreb, also claimed the Club World Cup and European Super Cup but there were setbacks. City suffered a defeat on penalties by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals while a mix-up between Gvardiol and keeper Stefan Ortega resulted in Manchester United's first goal in their unexpected 2-1 FA Cup Final triumph over their rivals.
The two Manchester clubs will return to Wembley for the Community Shield next Saturday. And Gvardiol stated: "I've relished living in Manchester; the city's football culture is phenomenal. The fervour for football here is as intense as I anticipated.
"It's a lively place with amicable people. The weather was somewhat surprising, but I've adapted. Securing the Premier League four times in a row was a historic accomplishment. But this season, as always, I will strive to exceed my limits and deliver my best.
"The Premier League has been everything I expected-intense and highly competitive. The biggest surprise has been the physicality and pace of the games, which require you to be at your best in every match. We have a talented squad and a very strong team spirit. The key will be staying focused, maintaining our high standards, and taking each game one at a time."
Gvardiol's first goal for City came in his 33rd appearance, in an enthralling 3-3 draw with Madrid in the Bernabeu. He would go on to score five goals in seven games.
He added: "Winning the Champions League would be a dream come true. It is the pinnacle of club football.
"Lifting that trophy would be an incredible achievement for me and the whole team. I'm always ready to adapt and help the team. I saw playing left-back as an opportunity to develop my football skills and learn more about positioning and the tactical demands of different roles.
"I have improved my tactical awareness and versatility, learning to play in different defensive positions. But I still see room for improvement in my attacking contributions. Continuous learning and adapting are key to this development."
