# Era-defining manager Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City after 10 incredible years

- Link: https://www.tehranianonline.com/era-defining-manager-pep-guardiola-will-leave-manchester-city-after-10-incredible-years/
- Published: 2026-05-22T23:02:07+03:30
- Author: MohammadReza AbeshAhmadLou

Pep Guardiola will leave his role as Manchester City manager at the end of the season,
the club said Friday, bringing an end to an era-defining legacy.

In a club press release, Guardiola reflected on his departure: “When I arrived, 
my first interview was with (Oasis frontman) Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking,‘
Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.’

“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.

> We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way,” Guardiola
> added. “So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again. … Love 
> you all.
> Pep Guardiola

The manager’s final match at the helm of City is Sunday against Aston Villa at the
Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

“I want to say a proper goodbye to my people on Sunday and hug them all,” Guardiola
said at a Friday press conference, “that’s why we announced it.”

The Spaniard will take up a role as Global Ambassador of the City Football Group,
where he will give “technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific
projects and collaborations.”

Guardiola was already considered one of the best coaches in the world when he took
over at City in 2016 and his stock has continued to rise as he’s dominated English
soccer by assembling some of the best teams the Premier League has ever seen.

He’s won a total of 17 major trophies at the Etihad, including six league titles,
one Champions League and one Club World Cup. He most recently won the FA Cup as 
his City side beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.

![](https://www.tehranianonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2477-1.webp)

Guardiola celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League with City
in the 2022-23 season.
Molly Darlington/Reuters

![](https://www.tehranianonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2477-2.webp)

Guardiola and the City squad celebrate with the trophy after winning the Emirates
FA Cup Final against Chelsea on May 16.
Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images

Guardiola’s influence while at City has been felt far beyond the professional game,
with amateur sides across the United Kingdom now playing his possession-based style.

City fans would have hoped the Spaniard would stay on in his role but signs in recent
weeks suggested this day might come sooner rather than later.

In Friday’s statement, Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said of Guardiola’s
departure: “Over the last 10 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.

“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 10 
years he has not only made Manchester City better – he has also made football better.”

The club added in its Friday statement that it is going to rename its North Stand
at the Etihad Stadium in honor of Guardiola and would host a “fitting tribute and
farewell” to the Spaniard in the coming days.

“(I’m) speechless. No words. What can I say? Khaldoon called me and said the club
had made that decision (to rename the North Stand). I say, no words. I like to feel
that my vibe or energy will be there forever,” Guardiola said on Friday.

“In the bad moments, when someone looks there and they see Pep there, I will send
my energy to the team and club. It’s one of the biggest honors I could get.

Reports are that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will replace Guardiola as manager,
after being earmarked for the job for some time. The pair previously worked together
at City.