“I don’t have enough words” – Pep Guardiola issues emotional response while reflecting on life at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued an emotional response to questions around what he has experienced during the last 10 years in English football.

As Guardiola approaches a decade in charge at the Etihad Stadium, the Catalan’s legacy continues to cement itself among the most transformative managerial tenures in Premier League history.

His arrival in 2016 reshaped not only City but the wider landscape of English football, with his philosophies influencing tactical trends, player development, and recruitment strategies. His latest press conference offered Guardiola a moment of reflection amid the intensity of the season, met with a rare moment of sentiment.

City’s period of dominance under the 54-year-old has included record-breaking title wins, a domestic quadruple, a continental treble, and the long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph. Yet Guardiola has regularly spoken about the emotional and personal journey that accompanies elite-level management.

Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Guardiola looked back on meeting the Black Cats in the Premier League in 2016 in his very first game as Manchester City manager, and reflected on life within English football since then.

“It’s fulfilled,” Guardiola responded when asked whether life in England has lived up to the expectations he had before arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

“If you tell me to reflect after 10 years how is my experience or what I’ve lived here? I don’t have enough words to express what I’ve lived – in mainly good moments, but bad moments as well, the incredible people I met here.”

Pep Guardiola continued, “So it has been an exceptional journey, I would say, it’s the only thing I can say. It’s been top!”

Guardiola’s comments have been warmly received by supporters, especially amid ongoing speculation about when his tenure may eventually end. The manager has repeatedly emphasised his satisfaction with both his professional and personal life, and Friday’s remarks only strengthen the belief that he feels deeply connected to the club and the city.

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s focus remains fixed on sustaining momentum in the Premier League title race and managing the physical load of an intense winter schedule. Guardiola’s reflections may also hint at a renewed sense of purpose as he navigates what could be the final chapters of his time in England.

Whether he chooses to continue beyond 2027 or ultimately close one of the most successful eras in Premier League history, Pep Guardiola’s emotional response makes clear that his decade at Manchester City has shaped him and the club as a whole.