Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced he will step down at the end of the season, bringing to a close a remarkable 10-year reign that reshaped English football and delivered an unprecedented era of success at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spaniard, who joined City in 2016, confirmed that Aston Villa’s visit to the Etihad will be his final match in charge after leading the club to 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and its first UEFA Champions League crown.
Although leaving the dugout, Guardiola is expected to remain involved with City Football Group in a global ambassadorial role.
“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 was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”
The 55-year-old departs as the most successful manager in the club’s history, having also won three FA Cups, five League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.
Guardiola arrived in England already established among Europe’s elite coaches following a glittering spell with FC Barcelona, where he won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, before adding three Bundesliga crowns with Bayern Munich.
While many expected a short stay in the Premier League, his influence extended far beyond Manchester City’s trophy collection.
His possession-based style and tactical innovations have been widely adopted across English football, from youth academies to top-flight clubs, while several of his former assistants have gone on to become leading managers in their own right.
Among them is Mikel Arteta, who guided Arsenal to a long-awaited Premier League title, while Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca previously served on Guardiola’s coaching staff and has been widely tipped as a potential successor.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also credited Guardiola’s Barcelona side as a major influence on his coaching philosophy
Guardiola’s departure comes as Manchester City continue to await the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
The club was charge by the league three years ago and has consistently denied wrongdoing. An independent commission completed hearings on the case two years ago, but a verdict has yet to be announced.
The unresolved proceedings have cast a shadow over one of the most successful periods in English football history, even as City established themselves as the dominant force of the Guardiola era.
For many supporters, however, Guardiola’s legacy will be defined by the trophies, the style of play and a decade that transformed Manchester City into one of world football’s leading clubs.
