Pep Guardiola: Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji messages on Man City exit mean everything to me | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed his former players Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji reached out to him after he announced his upcoming departure from the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola is set to bring the curtain down on an illustrious, trophy-laden spell in Manchester after Sunday’s Premier League finale against Aston Villa, a game that will also see Bernardo Silva and John Stones mark their final games in sky blue.

City finally gave in to Arsenal in the title race earlier this week, being held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on the south coast as Mikel Arteta and co won the first league title for the Gunners in 22 years.

Following months of speculation on his future, Guardiola confirmed on Friday afternoon that he is stepping down as Manchester City manager as Etihad Stadium bosses line up Enzo Maresca as the Catalan’s replacement on an initial three year deal.

Pep reveals messages from De Bruyne & Akanji

Speaking in his final pre-match press conference at the City Football Academy, Guardiola revealed that Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji congratulated him on his legendary spell at the Etihad Stadium after news of his exit was made official on Friday.

“The phone call from Kevin means everything to me, everything – more than titles, which are nice. It’s the memories that you get, and I have a lot, which are so special,” Guardiola said as City prepare to face Unai Emery‘s newly-crowned UEFA Europa League winners on Sunday.

Manchester City have confirmed that the recently renovated North Stand will be renamed ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’, with a statue also set to be commissioned to commemorate the 55-year-old Catalan, who has decided against seeing out the final year of his contract.

An open bus parade on Monday will honour the achievements of the City men’s and women’s sides this season – as the former won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup double, whilst the latter brought home the WSL title.

I’m happy that Sir Alex Ferguson was watching, says Pep

Guardiola added that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also called him ahead of his impending departure from cross-town rivals City.

Although Guardiola admitted at first he didn’t understand much of what the Scot said in his ‘Scottish accent’, the Manchester City boss said: “He is the greatest in this country; the tenure, the time, and for many, many reasons.

“I’m happy that Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest could see – I’m pretty sure (to) Sir Alex we are not the ‘noisy neighbours’, we are the ‘neighbours’. Just the ‘neighbours’. And I’m happy that he has been watching.”

Guardiola has also confirmed that former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who left for Fenerbahce last summer, will be in attendance for the Catalan’s farewell against Aston Villa on Sunday.