Pep Guardiola to leave Man City after 10 years in charge
Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will leave Manchester City after a decade in which he won 20 major trophies and became the club’s most successful ever manager.
Enzo Maresca is expected to replace the Catalan, whose final game in charge will be Sunday’s home match against Aston Villa.
Pep Guardiola to leave Man City after 10 years in charge
Guardiola, considered one of the greatest coaches of all time, led the club to six Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy – among other successesMike Jones22 May 2026 14:16
Pep wants to say goodbye
The Man City boss added: “It’s not about when, it’s not today or tomorrow. You know at the time, you feel OK let’s do it. It’s not yesterday that it happened or one week ago.
“Of course we were in the competition and I wanted to be completely away from [thinking about leaving] because I need the players to be with me and me with them.
“At the moment, we cannot fight for anything else because it’s already achieved so it is the moment to say, OK I want to say a proper goodbye to my people on Sunday, I want to hug them on the pitch, that is why we announced it.”
Pep Guardiola confirms Man City exit after 10 years
And that’s all from Pep for now, though he will continue speaking with the cameras off, more of that later with Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly.
A lot of words, no team news for Aston Villa, understandably…
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 14:04
Pep Guardiola on Man City departure
“It helps, to arrive in a club with the standards so high, that’s the level, push each other,” Guardiola says.
“The future is win every training session every day, they will do it.
“When I took the decision, it’s a process. I have to breathe, it’s natural, in the moment when I describe, maybe it’s the last season.
“They said, take time, maybe one more year, but then I decide, it’s better, another energy.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:58
Pep Guardiola on Sir Alex Ferguson’s call
“In a Scottish accent, I didn’t talk, I will call him back, for sure, congratulated for the trajectory and what we achieved,” Guardiola says.
“He is the greatest in this country. For many reasons, I’m so happy.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:56
Pep Guardiola on what he’s most proud of at Man City
“Hopefully they enjoyed watching us play, it was fun, we played really good, sometimes not. The first Premier League was important, I cannot deny the Champions League, after many years,” Guardiola says.
“To be close, and close, all of them. 24 times, it’s what defines… There is one sentence coming in my memory. When I spoke to Noel Gallagher, a few years ago, we were a team, to not win four games in a row, now we win four Premier Leagues in a row.
“I said, wow, that’s a good sentence, maybe this club, since I think taking over, take an incredible step to define what we’ve become, it made me so proud and happy.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:55
Pep Guardiola on Man City naming a stand after him
“No words, speechless, Kaldoon called me, told me the club made that decision, I like to think my vibe or energy will be there forever, they look, ‘Pep is there’, I’ll send good energy to the team, it’s a huge honour. Thank you so much to the club to deliver to me.
“My family, my father will come, on Sunday, to watch a game, 94 years old, an incredible honour to have his name on this place.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:52
Pep Guardiola on Manchester
“When you live 10 years here [in Manchester], you know the corridors of this city, my daughter was in that moment, they were lucky,”
“Today is the nine year anniversary. I will try as a club to reflect what it means my time, it’s not about, of course, when you win 20 titles, it’s 10 years.
“Part of that, is not just that, the phone call from Kevin, means everything. The titles are nice, the memories, it’s so special.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:50
Pep Guardiola on Neville and Carragher compliment
“Take a beer with them,” Guardiola says on Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher naming him the greatest manager of all time.
“I don’t know. I had incredible success as a manager. I got a message from SAF, two days ago, that made me so happy.
“It’s the reason why it makes me so happy and fortunate. Happy doing my job at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here, I gave everything. I’m leaving with peace of my soul, I gave everything to this club. People enjoyed what we did these 10 years.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:49
Pep Guardiola on when he told the players he was leaving
“This morning,” Guardiola says on when he told the players.
“The speech was a disaster, so nervous, more than ever, I tell them, like I’m telling you.
“I have this passion, energy, but I feel I won’t have in the future.
“The club gave me everything.”
Jack Rathborn22 May 2026 13:47NewerOlder