It was emotional as a host of Manchester City legends got the send-offs that they deserved | OneFootball

Manchester City ended their 2025-26 season with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. The match itself was a prelude to events to come. City farewelled club legends Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones after the match in moments that were fitting tributes for all three. Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan finally got their opportunity to say goodbye to the City club to which they gave so much. The pair were two vital components in Manchester City’s decade of dominance under Pep Guardiola. Yesterday was emotional; the tears started flowing before kickoff from Bernardo Silva. By the time the day ended at the Etihad, City had perfectly sent off a plethora of club legends as they opened the Pep Guardiola stand for yesterday’s match.

Bernardo Silva’s pre game tears set the scene for an emotional day for Manchester City.

Yesterday was always going to be an emotional day for everyone associated with Manchester City. The tears began to flow pre-game as the occasion got to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva ahead of his final game with the club. Bernardo Silva was pictured in tears in the tunnel with his daughter as the weight of the occasion got to one of Manchester City’s greatest-ever players.

Bernardo Silva received his first round of applause when he was taken off in the 58th minute. Tears flowed for Bernardo as he left the Etihad Stadium pitch as a Manchester City player. Fittingly, a guard of honor was formed for Bernardo by his teammates as he left the pitch. The Aston Villa players joined in, which was a special and classy moment in itself. Pep Guardiola and Bernardo embraced on the touchline, and tears flowed from both. In a way, that was fitting as Bernardo Silva has for so long been an extension of his manager on the pitch.

Speaking with Sky Sports after the match, in quotes relayed by CityXtra, Bernardo Silva revealed that the emotion of the occasion hit him ahead of the game. Also, despite City losing he revealed that yesterday was a special day for the club. He explained: “I didn’t sleep that well last night. I wasn’t really in very condition to play, I started crying a lot in the dressing room, which for a game isn’t very good. “We couldn’t play our best game, but today was a celebration. I’m really happy for all the guys that came for Ederson, for Gundo, for Johnny boy, for me, and for Pep. “I’m just really proud that I was a part of this fantastic generation. This group of people that are just a family for me!” 

John Stones gets his flowers, and he will always be a Blue.

In the 78th minute, John Stones received a send-off from the Manchester City fans. The England international was substituted, and once again, a guard of honor was formed by both teams. Unai Emery’s side showed their class once again in the guard of honor. Tears flowed from Stones as he left the Etihad Stadium as a City player for the final time. John Stones started Pep Guardiola’s first match as Manchester City manager. He fittingly started Guardiola’s final match as City manager. That in itself was a moment where the circle was complete.

John Stones had his moment to receive the well-deserved adulation from the Manchester City fans in the post match farewell ceremony. The love was shown to Stones after his immense decade of service to Manchester City. Speaking after that match with mancity.com, Stones shared that he will forever be a Blue. He explained: “I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved and what I’ve given to so many people. To have the send off that we’ve had today, the love and support that’s been shown is incredible.”

“I can’t thank everyone enough for that. I think it’s very two ways, the love they’ve shown and the memories that have been created for me, especially. It was a very emotional day.”

“Like everyone’s said, ‘once a Blue, you’re always a Blue’. This is my home and I think the people make somewhere a home. The memories and the moments I’ve had stick with me forever. I’m excited to come back and be a supporter of the best club in the world.”

After a decade at Manchester City, John Stones got the moment he thoroughly deserved yesterday. Stones has been brilliant for Manchester City, and he has been class on the pitch and pushed through the pain barrier on countless occasions. Stones leaves City as a legend like his great mate Bernardo Silva, and the fact that they played their final game together at City was a special moment in itself.

Finally, Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan got their moment to say goodbye.

Two more Manchester City legends had the opportunity to say goodbye yesterday, which wasn’t afforded to them when they departed the club. Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson had the opportunity to say farewell to the fans to whom they had given so many great memories. That in itself was special. The fact that the pair were such pivotal players for Pep Guardiola during their time at the club, and their farewells arrived on the day Guardiola said goodbye, was fitting.

Ilkay Gundogan oozed class when he spoke to the Manchester City fans. He always has whether that is on the pitch or when he speaks. Yesterday was no exception. Manchester City and the Etihad Stadium is home for Ilkay Gundogan. It would not be surprise if he one day returns to the club in a coaching role.

Ederson finally got his moment to say farewell yesterday. The Brazilian goalkeeper was arguably one of Manchester City’s most important players throughout Pep Guardiola’s time as City manager. His contribution to Manchester City over the eight years he was at the club was critical. Without Ederson, City likely don’t become the winning machine they become. He is a City legend and to see him say goodbye in his own way was a fantastic moment.

Pep Guardiola held the Etihad Stadium crowd in the palm of his hand for one final time.

The last farewell yesterday was for Manchester City’s greatest ever manager, Pep Guardiola. It was a moment that no one associated with City wanted to see occur. It arrived yesterday, and Guardiola held the Etihad Stadium in the palm of his hand one more time. There has always been an aura to Guardiola, whether he is talking football, world politics, or any other matter. Yesterday, that was on full display as he said goodbye to the club he has left an imprint on that will live forever.

Pep Guardiola took the time to thank his father, who had traveled to the Etihad Stadium for his final game as Manchester City manager. The fact that the Guardiola name will forever be on the North Stand is a fitting tribute and one that will fill the Guardiola family with immense pride. Guardiola thanked his players, his staff, and the City fans. The Etihad Stadium hung on his every word. It was a fantastic speech from Guardiola, and one that perfectly summed up his brilliance. Pep Guardiola has created a special legacy at Manchester City. His final words at the Etihad Stadium fit that legacy perfectly.

Also, during Pep Guardiola’s farewell address to the City faithful, a glimpse as to why he turned his Manchester City side into a winning machine was there. The Etihad Stadium hung on his every word. Guardiola held the entire stadium in the palm of his hand. This ability, on top of Guardiola’s relentless nature and tactical brilliance is why Manchester City have been the dominant force they have been over the past decade.

Final thoughts.

Yesterday was a special day at the Etihad Stadium. Five Manchester City legends said farewell to a club with which they have scaled every possible height. Each have left an imprint on the history and fabric of the club. It was fitting that Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson all said goodbye on the same day. It was just as fitting that Fernandinho was there for the moment. All six of them have established Manchester City as the force they are today, with the help of other City legends such as Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Kyle Walker and Sergio Aguero to name a few, who made cameos in a video statement for Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

It was an emotional day at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. The tears flowed as a legacy of success from Pep Guardiola and his players was celebrated. Yesterday’s match against Aston Villa was the first and only time in Pep Guardiola’s decade as manager where the result didn’t matter. That in itself was fitting. As it showed just how special the legacy that a collection of Manchester City legends leave behind.