Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing an end to a historic 10-year spell that reshaped English football.
The Spanish coach announced his decision on Friday, revealing that Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium would be his final game in charge of the club.
Guardiola, however, is expected to remain connected to the City Football Group in a new role as a global ambassador.
Reflecting on his time at the club, the 55-year-old expressed gratitude to supporters, players, and staff for what he described as an unforgettable journey.
“What a time we have had together!” Guardiola said in a statement released by the club.
“Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time.
“Nothing is eternal; if it were, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City,” he added.
News of Guardiola’s planned departure first surfaced earlier in the week, although he initially refused to comment publicly on his future after City lost the Premier League title to Arsenal.
Guardiola leaves Manchester City as the most successful manager in the club’s history after winning 20 major trophies in 10 seasons.
His achievements include six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph.
The trophy collection also features three FA Cups, five League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and three Community Shields.
When Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, he was already regarded as one of Europe’s finest coaches following highly successful spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
At Barcelona, he won three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies between 2008 and 2012 while introducing a possession-based style that influenced football around the world.
He later guided Bayern Munich to three consecutive Bundesliga titles before moving to England.
Many expected his stay at City to be brief, but his influence transformed both the club and the wider English game over the last decade.
Backed by Abu Dhabi ownership, Manchester City evolved from local challengers into the dominant force in English football, overtaking rivals Manchester United in terms of recent success.
Guardiola’s Influence Across Football
Guardiola’s passing philosophy and tactical approach have been widely copied across different levels of football, from youth academies to elite clubs.
Several coaches linked to him have also gone on to enjoy major success.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who previously served as Guardiola’s assistant at City, recently guided Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Former City assistant Enzo Maresca has now emerged as the leading candidate to replace Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also publicly acknowledged the influence Guardiola’s Barcelona side had on his own football ideas, while Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso spent part of his playing career at Bayern Munich under Guardiola.
Guardiola’s departure also comes while Manchester City continue to await the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
The club was formally charged in February 2023, and hearings before an independent commission concluded in December 2024.
The unresolved case has continued to cast a shadow over some of the club’s achievements despite its dominance on the pitch.
Even so, Guardiola leaves behind a legacy widely regarded as one of the greatest managerial eras in Premier League history.
