The Norwegian's historic deal is a statement of confidence from the Cityzens in the face of their Premier League hearing and a message to their rivals
Yes, you read that right: 10 years. Erling Haaland's colossal new contract with Manchester City is so long that even people at Chelsea, the pioneers of the long-term deal, must have found it hard to take in. City's announcement of the longest contract in football history shows that they value the Norwegian striker so much that they want him to spend the rest of his career at the Etihad Stadium and that they trust him to lead the team long into the future, even when Pep Guardiola has gone.
Haaland, who has scored 111 goals for City in 126 games in all competitions, said: "I am super proud and happy and I am looking forward to staying here for a long time. 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."
The news also deals a fatal blow to any other side with ambitions to see the striking sensation wear their colours, namely Real Madrid. And the fact that Haaland has made such a huge commitment to City and is effectively turning down the chance to do any more globetrotting demonstrates his confidence that, despite their woeful defence of the title this season, the club are going to stay among the top forces in football for many, many years to come.
"The fact he has signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club," said City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain. "He has made an incredible impact already in his time here and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves. He is one of the finest strikers in world football, but Erling is still very young and will only continue to improve working under Pep and his coaching team. If he works hard, which I know he will, he will create an incredible legacy at this football club."
Here's what Haaland's mega contract means for the striker, for City, and for the rest of football…
GettyConfidence over 115 charges
Upon seeing the news of the new contract, rival fans immediately began to joke that Haaland was now destined to spend some years in football's lower leagues as City await the outcome of their hearing with the Premier League over their 115 charges for allegedly breaking financial rules. But in reality this contract demonstrates the complete opposite.
The fact that City and Haaland have committed to such a long deal shows complete confidence that the club are not going to be seriously harmed by the outcome of the hearing. Even though Haaland might have genuine love for City, there is no way he would contemplate spending even one year outside the top flight. He and his representatives would have asked for assurances from chief executive Ferran Soriano and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak before signing the deal and must have been satisfied with the response.
Guardiola will have sought the same assurances when he signed his two-year contract extension in November. City, therefore, will be certain that they are either going to win their battle with the Premier League or that the worst punishment they will receive is a heavy fine.
AdvertisementGettyLife after Pep
Haaland's excellent relationship with Guardiola is one of the reasons why he has extended his stay with the club. Indeed, when he first signed for City in 2022 there was a reported clause in his contract which said he could seek an exit in the event the coach left. After agreeing his new deal, the striker highlighted the Catalan's influence on his development.
"It is so nice to work with him. Not only because he is the best, but he is also the most hard-working person I have ever seen," Haaland said. "People think it is only because this or that, but the amount of hours he puts down is also motivating and inspiring to see. It is funny to work with him, it is hard and it is tough because he demands a lot, but that is what I want. I want people to demand a lot from me and to put pressure on me. So far, so good."
Guardiola, however, cannot be expected to stay at City for quite as long as Haaland. He has already been at the club for nine years and when 2034 comes around he will be 63. But Haaland's mega-deal shows that even when Guardiola leaves City, the striker will remain pivotal to the club's plans.
GettyShearer's record in serious danger
City announced Haaland's new deal with a video showing the Norwegian writing a letter to Premier League defenders, telling them: "Sorry, I'm here to stay". He may as well have issued another apology to Alan Shearer, whose status as the league's all-time top scorer is now in grave danger.
Shearer used to see Harry Kane as the main contender to break his record and when news broke two years ago that the England captain was close to signing for Bayern Munich, the Newcastle legend offered to fly him to Germany. But the legendary striker turned Match of the Day pundit had not contemplated the fact that Haaland was an even bigger threat to his cherished status as the league's top marksman.
Haaland broke Shearer and Andy Cole's long-running record for the most goals in a single season when he struck 36 times in his very first campaign in the Premier League and he has barely let up since, netting 27 times last season to retain the Golden Boot despite missing two months with a foot injury. He has struck 16 times this season, taking his Premier League tally to 79 goals in less than three seasons.
Shearer signed off with 260 goals in 14 seasons, averaging 18 goals per campaign. Haaland is currently averaging more than 30 goals per season, putting him on course to become the all-time top scorer in 2031. Even if he slows down, the contract until 2034 allows him plenty of time to eventually take Shearer's crown.
GettyReal Madrid robbed of another Galactico
Los Blancos were City's main rivals to sign Haaland in 2022, with the Norwegian, his father Alfie and his representatives visiting the Santiago Bernabeu and meeting with top officials to discuss a move. Haaland, however, expressed reservations due to the insatiable form of Karim Benzema and the imminent arrival of Kylian Mbappe, preferring to head to a club where he knew he would be the No. 1 striker.
Real remained an attractive future destination though and Haaland did not exactly dampen the speculation when he said "you never know" in response to a question about whether he would consider leaving City. But Madrid's hopes of ever signing him are surely gone now he has committed to City for the next decade.
Madrid have moved away from paying exorbitant transfer fees ever since their doomed signing of Eden Hazard in 2019 and although they paid top dollar for Jude Bellingham, their modus-operandi has been to convince the players they want to sign to run down their contracts and get them for free. It's how they landed Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Mbappe, and how they plan to lure Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies to the Bernabeu. So if they do want to sign Haaland, they will have to wait until 2034. In other words, the Norwegian is one 'Galactico' that Florentino Perez will have to do without.