'Che Guevara of Football' Looks to Extend EPL Contract

New English Premier League (EPL) champion manager Pep Guardiola, who is described as the 'Che Guevara of football,' is looking to extend his contract with Manchester City, ESPN says.

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Former Argentina manager and World Cup-winner Cesar Luis Menotti says Guardiola has changed football. “Pep is the Che Guevara of football. I always said a revolutionary wins or dies in the fight and Pep's idea remains unwavering.”

Menotti added: “He's never going to change it: he wants to play well, he wants to own the space and he wants command of the ball. And he wants to handle the time, to stay ahead of the curve.”

ESPN FC is reporting that the revered manager is close to signing a 12-month contract extension at Manchester City. Guardiola is nearing two years into a three-year deal at the Etihad, having the league and Carabao Cup wins under his belt so far.

Guardiola has won league titles in Spain, Germany and England as a manager. Sources told ESPN FC that the prolific manager has now set his sights on a Champions League trophy in England.

The Catalan native hails from humble beginnings as the son of a bricklayer but has managed to rise to the highest level in his home country, leading Barcelona FC club to more than a dozen titles during his four-year stint, and abroad with Bayern Munich.

“When it comes to analyzing or judging Guardiola, you must bear in mind that underneath the elegant suit, the cashmere jumper and the tie, is the son of a bricklayer. Inside those expensive Italian shoes there is a heart in espadrilles,” writer David Trueba said.

Guardiola has occasionally defied soccer regulations, for love of country, by wearing a yellow ribbon – during several fixtures – to show solidarity with Spanish-detained Catalan leaders.

“Before a manager, I am a human being,” he said. “There are four guys in prison. There are other guys, who are outside of Catalonia; when they come back, they are going to be jailed, imprisoned for rebellion and sedition. It's not about politicians, it's about democracy.”