Sunday will not be easy, says Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola expects an emotional afternoon when his time as City manager comes to a close this Sunday.

Men's Team

Every word of Guardiola's final pre-match press conference

We host Aston Villa in the final game of the 2025/26 season at 16:00 (UK), wrapping up Pep’s extraordinary decade as manager at the Etihad Stadium.

Having announced his departure on Friday, the Catalan will be bidding farewell to the fans, players and backroom staff once the game is concluded.

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It has also been confirmed that the Etihad’s North Stand will be renamed after our iconic boss, with Guardiola’s family to be in attendance at this weekend’s game.

Speaking in Friday’s press conference, Guardiola said he can’t wait to share the moment with Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who will also leave City this summer.

“I guess it will not be easy,” he began.

“I have a lot of love, it won’t be easy to see my family there and hopefully I can enjoy.

“Another thing I enjoy is that I can do it alongside John [Stones] and Bernardo [Silva]. It’s so special for me.

Men's Team

North Stand to be renamed ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’

“What better two players to live alongside, many years on and off the pitch, they represent this club both of them on and off the pitch like true gentlemen.

“I think Eddie is coming back, who was the goalkeeper here for many years.

“He couldn’t say bye to our fans so I’m happy he’s back, Gundo too.

“I saw the weather and it’s perfect on Sunday. Hopefully we can enjoy it because all of us, the fans and myself, we deserve to enjoy it.”

Having previously spent four years with Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich, Guardiola reaffirmed that he never planned to stay at City this long.

However, he insists the strength of the connections, as well as accumulating 20 major honours, went beyond any expectations he had upon arrival.

“It has been so good. Everything has been unexpected,” he said.

“I couldn’t expect ten years or to meet the incredible people I met here.

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“The numbers are the numbers, the records, but today is not the day to think about that. It’s about connections I had in this Club, the experiences and memories.

“I didn’t expect to be here as long, ten years is a lot of time to be at one club. We pushed each other, the energy was always good, back and forth not in one direction and that’s why I stayed. We had incredible players.

“It’s impossible not to have little conflicts but they were little, with good days and bad days, everyone has them in our jobs but in general I know perfectly that they know what I think about them.”

Join us at Co-Op Live for the ‘After Party’

To mark the achievements of Manchester City men’s, women’s and academy teams during the 25/26 season, we can confirm that an open top bus parade will take place on Monday 25th May, followed by ‘The After Party’ a special celebration event at Co-op Live.

Event Information

Date: Monday 25 May

Doors Open: 15:00 (UK)

Parade Show begins: 16:00 (UK)

Final Entry: 18:00 (UK)

Player Arrival at Co-op Live: 18:30 (UK)

Event Closes: 20:00 (UK)

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