Pep Guardiola has announced that he will exit Manchester City after a decade in charge.
Guardiola took charge of City in summer 2016 and has led the club to 20 major titles – including a treble in the 2022-23 season, consisting of Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
He most recently oversaw City’s run to this season’s FA Cup title which saw them beat Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium, which marked his third title in that competition just two months after City claimed their fifth League Cup at the same venue under his reign.
During Guardiola’s time in charge, City has won the following titles:
- 6 x Premier League
- 5 x League Cup
- 3 x FA Cup
- 3 x FA Community Shield
- 1 x UEFA Champions League
- 1 x UEFA Super Cup
- 1 x FIFA Club World Cup
“When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun,’” reflected Guardiola on his arrival and proceeded to speak of pride at his time at the club but feels that the timing is right to move on.
“And what a time we have had together. 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 was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.
“This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.”
The Catalonian also spoke of Manchester’s strength beyond the club as he acknowledged the city’s response to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, amongst many challenges encountered during his time at the club.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], you were there too.
“Players don’t forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again.”
City Chairman, Al Mubarak praised Guardiola for his commitment to the club and desire to achieve title success.
Over the last ten years honesty and trust have formed the bedrock on which we have navigated every situation together with Pep – always understanding that we could find the right answer together. Today the right answer is for Pep to finish his journey as the Manager of Manchester City.
“There have been points along the way when he could have stopped, and it would have been enough. Somehow, Pep always found new energy and pushed on, finding different and innovative ways to continue winning and delivering success.
“As a result, the Club has a decade of memories and success to be forever grateful for, and much more than that, an evolution that cannot be undone.
“The unique approach that he brings to his coaching has allowed him to constantly challenge the accepted truths of our game. It is the reason that in the last ten years he has not only made Manchester City better – he has also made football better.”
Guardiola will be a Global Ambassador for City in which he will provide technical advice and work on collaborations and project, whilst the Etihad Stadium’s North Stand will be renamed as the Pep Guardiola Stand in his honour.
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