Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has officially confirmed that he will step down as manager at the end of the season, bringing an end to a historic era at the English champions.
The Spanish coach published an emotional video on social media today (Friday), just a few days before the final match of the season in the Premier League against Aston Villa.
Guardiola has been in charge of Manchester City since 2016 and is considered the most successful manager in the club’s history, having won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, as well as a host of domestic trophies.
“I don’t want you to ask me the reasons why I’m leaving. There is no single reason,” Guardiola declared in the video.
“But deep down I know my moment has come. The feeling I have for this club will remain forever. The people, the memories and the love for Manchester City.”
“We worked, we suffered, we fought and we did things our way. As my time is coming to an end, I want you to be happy. Oasis are back again. Thank you for believing in me, for pushing me forward and for loving me,” he added.
Since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola has changed the way English football is played and set new standards in the Premier League.
The first championship title was won in 2018, when City accumulated a full 100 points, a historic record in the English elite.
The pinnacle of success came in the 2022/23 season, when Manchester City won the historic treble: Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, becoming only the second English team to achieve this success after Sir Alex Ferguson with Manchester United in the 1998/99 season.
For his successes, Guardiola was named Premier League Coach of the Season five times, while in 2023 he also won the UEFA Coach of the Year award.
City are reportedly set to appoint Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s successor. The Italian was previously his assistant at the Etihad and most recently managed Chelsea and Leicester City.
However, Guardiola will not be leaving the club completely, as the 55-year-old confirmed he will take on the role of Manchester City’s global ambassador .
