Manchester City to rename stand and build statue as tribute to Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester City will rename the North Stand at the Etihad Stadium after Pep Guardiola as a tribute to the departing manager.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak rang Guardiola on Friday morning to inform the Catalan the club wanted to honour him by dedicating the expanded North Stand to him as well as building a statue of him.

And Sheikh Mansour said Guardiola had left his imprint on City in his reign, in which he won 20 trophies, including six Premier Leagues and City’s first Champions League.

The 55-year-old will stand down after a decade in charge having become the most successful manager in City’s history.

“I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field,” Sheikh Mansour said. “For ten years Pep has been the personification of that ambition. He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the club. One that is borne more from how he won than from the many trophies he lifted.

“He has the unending gratitude of myself and the entire City family, a family of which he will always be part.”

City have expanded the North Stand, adding over 7,000 new seats, with the top tier open for the first time for Sunday’s match against Aston Villa, Guardiola’s last in charge.

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One of the Etihad Stadium stands will bear Pep Guardiola's name (Getty)

Al Mubarak added: “The Pep Guardiola Stand, and the statue that will sit outside it, rightly ensure that Pep's legacy will remain forever woven into the fabric of this football club, the city of Manchester and English football.

“The unique relationship that he has with our fans has been earned through the honesty and passion of his ten seasons fighting to bring them success. The Pep Guardiola Stand is a fitting and permanent reminder of that relationship, the most successful period in our club's history, and the unique football genius at its heart.”

Chief executive Ferran Soriano added: “It is wholly appropriate that the occasion of Pep’s final game as Manchester City manager will also be the afternoon that the wonderful new Pep Guardiola Stand of the Etihad Stadium will hold 7,000 more City fans for the very first time.

“Sunday will be an opportunity for everyone to celebrate his achievements. Sheikh Mansour’s permanent marking of Pep’s incredible legacy will give City fans the opportunity to acknowledge Pep’s legend every single time they visit our stadium.”