Pep Guardiola delivers verdict on Manchester City renaming Etihad Stadium stand in his honour | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered his two cents on club officials renaming an Etihad Stadium stand in his honour as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his time in the north-west.

Guardiola is strongly expected to step down as Manchester City manager at the end of the season – a year ahead of the expiration of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

It has been reported this week that an early exit clause was inserted in the Catalan’s contract -when he signed a fresh two-and-a-half year contract in November 2024 – which would allow him to step down at the end of the 2025-26 season.

While there has been no official confirmation from the club or Guardiola, who has publicly maintained he has another year on his contract, there is a strong belief at the Etihad Stadium that the time has come to an end for the 55-year-old in Manchester.

What is at stake for Man City at Bournemouth?

Guardiola and co face a tricky test on the south coast on Tuesday night as they bid for three points against Andoni Iraola and Bournemouth to take the title race to the final day of the season.

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the table to five points by beating Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night and City will need nothing less than three points at the Vitality Stadium to keep their slender hopes of a domestic treble alive heading into the weekend.

A monumental title race has come in the backdrop of increasing speculation on Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with the Catalan playing a game of chess in press conferences to keep the media on their toes with regards to what his plans are for next season.

Pep discusses Etihad Stadium stand renaming in his honour

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s final away day of the season, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager was asked whether he’d like the club to honour him with an Etihad Stadium stand named after him.

“I have no idea about that! No, no, no. They don’t have to do anything, honestly. “The important thing in our lives is that when you look back you say, ‘Wow’ and with the biggest smile,” Guardiola said.

“When you’re old and you’re a grandfather you say, ‘Ah my life’ and you can laugh about the memories. And that is the most important thing in the life.

“And whatever happens in this part of the season – and when I extend my Manchester City contract three more years – after that look back and say, ‘Ah how nice it has been!’.

“That’s the most important thing, by far. And I’m pretty sure most people we lived with in this time together, we can feel that.”

Guardiola is set to step down as Manchester City manager after this weekend’s home clash against Aston Villa – and the club will be planning how they can give the club’s greatest-ever manager a fitting send-off after an illustrious, trophy-laden decade that has altered the trajectory of English football forever.