How Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano have reacted to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City exit | OneFootball

Manchester City executives Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano have paid tribute to Pep Guardiola as the Catalan coach leaves this summer.

City and Guardiola have confirmed that the 55-year-old will be bringing the curtain down on an illustrious decade at the Etihad Stadium after Sunday’s Premier League finale against Aston Villa.

The Blues will bid farewell to Guardiola – as well as departing stars Bernardo Silva and John Stones – against Unai Emery‘s recently-crowned UEFA Europa League champions on the final day of the season, having lost the title race to Arsenal this week.

Guardiola has bid an emotional farewell to everyone associated with Manchester City and will take up a Global Ambassador position within the City Football Group upon his departure from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Pep has made football better

In a tribute to the departing City manager, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Over the last 10 years honesty and trust have formed the bedrock on which we’ve navigated every situation with Pep – always understanding we could find the right answer together.

“Today the right answer is for Pep to finish his journey as the Manager of Manchester City. There have been points along the way when he could’ve stopped, and it would’ve been enough.

” Somehow, Pep always found new energy and pushed on, finding different and innovative ways to continue winning and delivering success.

“As a result, the club has a decade of memories and success to be forever grateful, and much more than that, an evolution that cannot be undone.

“The unique approach he brings to his coaching has allowed him to constantly challenge the accepted truths of our game. It is the reason in the last 10 years he has not only made Manchester City better – he has made football better.”

Pep is a Man City legend, says Soriano

In his own parting message to Guardiola, Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano added: “We’ve been privileged to work alongside Pep Guardiola for 10 years. We’ve witnessed his greatness, dedication, but also enjoyed his companionship, friendship, humanity.

“What a privilege it’s been for so many of us at Manchester City! Pep’s legacy is extraordinary and its true impact will be better assessed by Manchester City historians of the future.

“He contributed decisively to our journey to global excellence and his high standards will be a reference for our players and managers of the future. If there’s something more difficult than winning, it’s winning again.

“It requires incredible persistence, resilience and the humility to start again every year, with the same energy, again and again. This is what Pep did.

“Nobody would’ve believed, 10 years ago, we could win 20 trophies in this decade, entertaining football of such high quality. It was unthinkable – yet it was done.

“As we celebrate the past, we’re also very happy to know Pep will stay with the group and we’ll be able use his knowledge and experience in so many of our other clubs to help managers and players.

“We’ll forever be grateful to Pep and cherish so many unforgettable memories. He is a City legend – forever.”

Sunday’s atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium will indeed be special before Monday’s open bus parade that will celebrate the success of Manchester City’s men’s and women’s sides this season.