Pep Guardiola to leave Manchester City after 10 years | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed the departure of Pep Guardiola as manager this summer following a legendary 10-year stay at the club.

Guardiola’s decade-long tenure at Manchester City has fundamentally redefined the landscape of English football, after arriving at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016.

Over 10 historic seasons, the 55-year-old transformed City into a silverware-winning machine, capturing six Premier League titles – including a historic 100-point ‘Centurions’ campaign and domestic quadruple – and culminating in the monumental 2022-23 European treble as well as four successive English top-flight titles in a row.

The Catalan’s revolutionary use of inverted full-backs, ball-playing goalkeepers and fluid false-nines, all whilst maintaining his fundamentals in terms of possession-based build-up not only raised the club to unprecedented new heights but also set a new architectural benchmark for the game.

Beyond a staggering collection of 20 trophies, Guardiola’s true legacy perhaps lies in the profound cultural and structural identity he embedded within the club, setting standards that will now be ingrained into the organisation moving forward into a new era.

Man City confirm Pep Guardiola exit this summer

Ahead of a press conference on Friday afternoon, Manchester City have confirmed Guardiola will be bringing an end to his time at the club after the 2025-26 Premier League season ends against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

“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 (Al Mubarak), 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. Noel…I was right. It has been so f****** fun. Love you all.”

Pep to take up CFG Global Ambassador role

Although he is bringing the curtain down on a legendary spell as Manchester City manager, Guardiola will take up a role as a Global Ambassador for the City Football Group, the club have confirmed.

The Catalan will give technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations – which is bound to prove fruitful to Manchester City in the seasons to come.

Guardiola will be given an audacious farewell alongside departing players Bernardo Silva and John Stones when Manchester City face Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday.