Pep Guardiola confirms Man City exit in emotional statement as Enzo Maresca lined up | Football | Sport
Pep Guardiola has announced his exit from Manchester City (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola has announced his departure from Manchester City, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 10-year stint at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan coach has delivered 20 trophies during his decade-long stay in East Manchester, including six Premier League titles, and the Champions League as part of a Treble.
Guardiola also became the first manager in English football history to win four Premier League titles in a row, doing so between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons. He will be remembered as one of English football’s greatest-ever coaches, with the ex-Barcelona midfielder having transformed City into one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Despite having an extra year on his contract, Guardiola will leave City following Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa. A statement read: “When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun,’” Guardiola said.
“And what a time we have had together. Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.
“This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.
“Players don’t forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me.
“Thank you for pushing me.
“Thank you for loving me.
“Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“It has been so f****** fun.
Pep Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016 (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola won his first league title in 2018 with 100 points (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola won the Champions League with Manchester City in 2023 (Image: Getty)
While we will have to wait for an official announcement, it is expected that Enzo Maresca will replace Guardiola in the City dugout. The Italian worked under Guardiola and was part of the coaching team that helped deliver the Treble in 2023.
By the time Sunday’s Villa clash comes and goes, Guardiola will have taken charge of 593 City matches across the 10 years, averaging a points tally of 2.27 per match. Meanwhile, the 55-year-old has averaged a trophy every 30 matches as City boss.
