It was a farewell fit for a king as Manchester City said goodbye to the greatest era in the club’s history | OneFootball

It was hard to see how Manchester City could top Sunday’s emotional farewell to Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones. All three club legends, plus Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan, said goodbye to the City fans at the Etihad Stadium following City’s final Premier League fixture of the 2025-26 season against Aston Villa. The farewells to that selection of City players were perfect in their own way. However, City topped that yesterday with their parade through Manchester and after-party at Co-op Live. The parade and after-party celebrated the achievements of the City first team, women’s team, and youth teams from the 2025-26 season. Given that celebrating the club’s achievements has always been a priority for Pep Guardiola, yesterday was the perfect way to end 10 years of dominance by Manchester City.

Everyone associated with Manchester City had their opportunity to celebrate a great 2025-26 season for the entire club.

Yesterday’s parade and after-party were a fitting way for every level at Manchester City to celebrate their success achieved during the 2025-26 season. Pep Guardiola’s side won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season. Manchester City’s women’s side won the Barclays Women’s Super League and have the chance to add more silverware this weekend when they face Brighton in the FA Cup final. Manchester City’s academy and under-18 side celebrated their FA Youth Cup and Under-18 Premier League North triumph.

The parade through Manchester was a celebration of all things Manchester City. City fans turned out in their droves to celebrate Manchester City’s club achievements and bid farewell to Pep Guardiola, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva. There is a real connection between City, the club, and their fans in Manchester and throughout the world. That was evident throughout the parade yesterday. It was impossible to miss, which speaks volumes about how well Manchester City has established itself. Pep Guardiola has spoken on this topic on several occasions. The fact that it couldn’t be missed yesterday was a fitting tribute in itself to what Guardiola has established at Manchester City.

Club legends returned to celebrate theirs and Pep Guardiola’s. achievements.

Following the parade, the party continued at Co-op Live. Fittingly, every team had their moment to celebrate at the after-party. Manchester City woman’s team also announced that star striker Bunny Shaw had extended her contract with the club. That was a special moment in itself given how much Shaw has achieved with Manchester City’s woman’s team and how vital she is to them.

Manchester City also paraded the 20 trophies won during Pep Guardiola’s decade as City manager. It was remarkable to see the glittering array of trophies on display. Also, seeing club heroes and legends return to celebrate their past achievements was another special moment. Vincent Kompany, Ederson, Fernandinho, Jack Grealish, Mike Summerbee and former Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, and current City players had their moments celebrating past achievements. The biggest cheer of the night came when former City captain and current Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany emerged. The roof came off Co-op Live and in a way it feels like Manchester City were providing a glimpse into the future as it seems certain that one day in the future Kompany will manage his club.

Of course, Bernardo Silva and John Stones had their moment to say goodbye once again. It is fitting that the duo have gone out together. They shared a hilarious story of their first meeting, and it was great to see them together in City colors for one final time.

The greatest of all time wishes the greatest manager of all time well in retirement.

The hero of the night was always going to be Pep Guardiola. Last night was the perfect way for Manchester City, the City fans and everyone connected to the club to bid farewell to him. There isn’t much more City can do to honor their greatest manager. Naming the new North Stand the Pep Guardiola stand is a fitting tribute. However, City may have found a way last night.

NBA and Chicago Bulls legend and icon Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest NBA player of all time and a relentless winner himself, wished Pep Guardiola well in his retirement. Jordan told Guardiola to enjoy his golf in a special moment. Given how relentless Jordan and Guardiola were in their pursuit of success, it was fitting to see one of Pep Guardiola’s heroes surprise him with the message. The fact that Jordan was willing to do so speaks volumes about what Pep Guardiola has achieved at Manchester City. Michael Jordan keeps to himself these days, barring special occasions. That really says it all about what Pep Guardiola has done at City—that Jordan was happy to leave a message for arguably football’s most influential manager.

Lastly, Pep Guardiola bid farewell to the club he had given everything to.

Fittingly, after Noel Gallagher sat down with Pep Guardiola for his first interview as Manchester City manager a decade ago, it was Noel Gallagher who handed Guardiola the microphone for his farewell to City fans. Guardiola said: “I think first of all thank you so much for coming here tonight to say goodbye. I feel to say bye to John and Bernie and of course all the incredible legends, Vinny, Fernandinho, Eddie, Jack and many more, thank you so much for coming.”

“I really feel that connection tonight that this club, the Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and all the people and all the City fans connected from the first minute. Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude.”

“I will always have you in my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you so much.”

It was hard to see how Manchester City could top Sunday’s events to farewell a trio of club legends. They did that yesterday as they celebrated the achievements of the entire club for the 2025-26 season. That in itself was fitting, as celebrating achievements meant so much to Pep Guardiola. Also, seeing how much Guardiola means to Manchester City fans for one final time was a fitting tribute to Guardiola’s decade as City manager. City have always handled the farewell of club icons superbly well. Yesterday, they outdid themselves, which is an achievement in itself, given how high they have set that particular bar.