Josep Guardiola will step down as Manchester City’s manager at the end of the 2025-26 season, ending his nearly 10-year reign at Manchester City.
After news of Guardiola’s resignation as manager were announced on Monday, the official announcement arrived on Friday ahead of his final game as manager at City.
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They host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and will finish second in the Premier League table, just short of chasing Arsenal in the title race.
After winning the League Cup and FA Cup trophies this season, Guardiola took his impressive tally of trophies to 20 in his 10 seasons in charge of City. This includes the famous treble season in which they eventually won the Champions League in 2023.
In a statement released by City, it was confirmed that Guardiola will take up the role of ambassador for the City Football Group.
And Guardiola had some powerful words to say about his memories at City. (JPW)
Pep Guardiola’s statement
“When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out of the store thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This is going to be fun.’
“And we had a great time together. Don’t ask me why I’m quitting. That’s not going to happen.”
I have my reasons, but deep down I know it’s my turn. Nothing is forever, if it were, I would be here. The feelings, the people, the memories and the love I have for Manchester City will last forever.
“You can tell by the work, you can tell by the graft, you can tell by the color of the bricks. This is a city built from people.”
Those who went to work early stayed late. factory. Pankhurst family. Labor union. music. Briefly explain the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the world. And I think I’ve come to understand that, and so has my team.
“We worked, we suffered, we fought. And we did things our way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms, the trip to Bournemouth when we lost in the Premier League and when you were there, and the trip to Istanbul when you were there.
“Remember the Manchester Arena attack? This city showed the world what strength really looks like. Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Unity. A city coming together.”
“Remember, after losing my mother during the coronavirus pandemic, I felt that this club supported me. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Chris, the children, the whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.”
“The players haven’t forgotten. Every moment, every moment, myself, the staff, this club, everything. What we’ve done is for all of you. And you’ve been just extraordinary. You don’t know it yet, but you’re leaving a legacy.”
“So my time is up, be happy. Oasis is back again. Thank you everyone for believing in me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me. As Tony Walsh said in an unforgettable poem, this is the place for me. I’m sorry, Tony, this is the place for me. Noel… I was right. It was so much fun. I love you all.”
Pep Guardiola understood the challenge and achieved it
Only six Premier League managers have managed more games than Guardiola at City, and only Arsene Wenger has surpassed him as a manager throughout his tenure in the Premier League.
He left the PL with the highest points per game average of any Premier League manager by a mile, with his 2.34 figure 0.18 higher than Ferguson and 0.22 higher than Klopp. City’s spending demands success and after a trophy-less first season, Guardiola provided that on an annual basis.
But wins and trophies aside, Guardiola has completely immersed himself in English football and shown a level of faith in the city that few could have predicted when he took over. His above statement is proof of that.
Guardiola moved to the city and became part of it. The Catalans built perhaps the greatest team of all time at Barcelona, and then went on to build a dynasty in Manchester. He ticks all the boxes possible to reach another European Cup and remains a football revolutionary in the discussion of the greatest managers of all time. (New Mexico)
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