BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Pep Guardiola will step down as manager of Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing to a close a glittering 10-year spell that reshaped English football and established City as one of Europe’s dominant forces.
The club confirmed the departure of the 55-year-old on Friday, ending months of speculation about his future after another dramatic Premier League campaign.
Guardiola, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 from FC Bayern Munich, guided City to an extraordinary run of success, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking about his decision, Guardiola said he felt the moment had come to move on.
“There is no special reason for leaving, but inside myself I know the cycle is complete,” he said in the club’s statement. “The memories, the emotions and the connection with Manchester City will stay with me forever.”
City’s hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title ended earlier this week after a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth handed the championship to Arsenal F.C.. Despite that disappointment, Guardiola still guided City to a domestic cup double this season.
His final match in charge will come against Aston Villa F.C. on Sunday before he transitions into a new role as Global Ambassador for the City Football Group.
Manchester City also announced plans to honour Guardiola’s legacy by naming the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium after him, while a statue will be built outside the ground.
During his reign, Guardiola transformed City’s playing style with his possession-based philosophy, helping the club produce one of the greatest seasons in Premier League history when they earned 100 points and scored 106 goals during the 2017-18 campaign.
His fierce rivalry with former Liverpool F.C. manager Jürgen Klopp defined an era in English football, while his former assistant Mikel Arteta later emerged as a major challenger at Arsenal.
Guardiola also reflected emotionally on his personal connection with Manchester, recalling the support he received from the city after the Manchester Arena attack and during the loss of his mother to COVID-19.
“The fans and the people of Manchester gave me strength in difficult moments,” Guardiola said. “What we achieved together will always remain special.”
