Pep Guardiola touches down in new home after Manchester City exit | OneFootball

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has now arrived back in Barcelona following the conclusion of his 10-year stay in the North-West of England.

Over an unprecedented decade at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola revolutionised the tactical DNA of the domestic game, amassing an astonishing 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and an historic continental treble.

Having overseen a final transition of power prior to and during the 2025/26 campaign, where a resilient City claimed an FA Cup and Carabao Cup double before narrowly yielding the league title to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, the Catalan has officially stepped away to rest and recharge.

The departure comes at a time of transformation at the club, as Hugo Viana hits the ground running at the City Football Academy and continues to now work frantically to align recruitment targets with the tactical philosophy of incoming head coach Enzo Maresca.

With long-standing squad pillars like Bernardo Silva and John Stones also departing, the hierarchy are focused on navigating a summer window to secure primary transfer targets like Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

Pep Guardiola spotted for the first time since leaving Man City

Now, Spanish media have captured the moment Pep Guardiola arrived back in Barcelona after bidding farewell to Manchester City during Monday evening’s city centre trophy parade and ‘After Party’ at the Co-op Live arena adjacent to the Etihad Stadium.

What next for Manchester City?

The poignant footage of Pep Guardiola returning to his roots highlights the stark finality of an emotional week that reduced players, staff, and thousands of supporters to tears.

Monday night’s unforgettable show inside the sold-out Co-op Live arena saw music icon Noel Gallagher, former captain and now Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, and Guardiola’s three children – Maria, Marius, and Valentina – escort all 20 of his City trophies across the stage one final time.

Now, stripped of his intense obligations and the relentless demands of English football, the legendary coach is expected to take a well-earned, indefinite sabbatical surrounded by close family.

While Pep Guardiola settles back into a quieter rhythm in Barcelona, the shockwaves of his departure will continue to shape Manchester City’s long-term strategy ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The recruitment team is expected to move with intent to finalise their summer decisions before the official June 15 window opens, ensuring new manager Enzo Maresca has a complete squad ahead of pre-season training.