Manchester City announce permanent tributes to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed two permanent tributes to their legendary manager Pep Guardiola, in light of his confirmed exit from the club this summer.

After a flurry of media reports throughout the week, Manchester City formally announced that Guardiola would step down as their Manager this summer, leaving the club with 20 major trophies in his decade with the organisation.

Alongside the confirmation, City also revealed that despite Guardiola departing from his role as manager, he would continue his relationship with the City Football Group.

The 55-year-old is now set to take up a role as a Global Ambassador within the CFG, in a position that will “see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations”.

With supporters also speculating what lasting tributes the club could unveil to mark the greatest manager in Manchester City’s history, a further statement has been issued on Friday afternoon.

Manchester City unveil permanent tributes to Guardiola

As confirmed by Manchester City, the newly-developed and expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’ – fully open for the first time for his final game in charge at the Club against Aston Villa on Sunday.

It is confirmed that the club’s owner, His Highness Sheikh Mansour, has bestowed the honour in recognition of Guardiola’s contributions to the organisation throughout his 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Alongside the renaming of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City have also announced that a statue of Guardiola will be commissioned, and feature on the approach to The Pep Guardiola Stand.

Man City officials react to Etihad Stadium alterations

Speaking on the decision to rename the new North Stand after Guardiola, the club’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said, “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.”

He continued, “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 officer, Ferran Soriano also said as part of the announcement, “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.”

What next for Manchester City?

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are expected to finalise talks and negotiations with Italian manager, Enzo Maresca to become the new head coach of Manchester City – succeeding Pep Guardiola.

There is a belief around the club that the 46-year-old provides the best direction in terms of aiming for continuity and stability, particularly given his history at the Etihad Stadium in roles within the Academy and first-team.

Most notably, Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant head coach during the greatest season in the club’s history, as Manchester City won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the 2022/23 season.

It remains unknown at this stage when Manchester City aim to unveil Maresca as their new manager.