The Pep Guardiola chat that convinced Erling Haaland to stay at Man City and snub Real Madrid links

A chat with Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board convinced Erling Haaland to effectively commit the rest of his career to the Blues.

Haaland has ripped up the record books in his two-and-a-half years at City and has set his sights on creating a legacy both at the club and in the Premier League.

Transfer speculation has always followed Haaland even after signing at City, with a future move to Real Madrid always in the background and his camp have repeated his intentions to try other leagues before he retires, testing himself at the highest levels across Europe.

But now that door appears closed, unless Real stump up a lucrative transfer fee to sign him. And Haaland has revealed that he was convinced to commit to City until he is 33 after a chat with Guardiola.

The City boss signed a two year contract himself at the end of 2024, and is unlikely to stay beyond his new deal expiring in 2027, so Haaland will lead the transition to a new era whenever Guardiola does eventually walk away.

In the end, speaking with the people I spoke with, the hunger and the support that I have been getting for the last couple of years from the board, from the bosses and from Pep, it was an easy decision. I am delighted.

"When I spoke to Pep, the best manager in the world, it is also a great thing to speak with him and to train and play under him every single day. To get his input on me and how I can become a better footballer and to develop even more. He is the best.

"Of course, you are here to win trophies, here to perform, here to be at your best and to deliver at your best. That is what you have to do here because you come here, people expect you to win trophies and that is why you are here.”

Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain