Manchester City played their final game under legendary manager Josep Guardiola, as he bid a tearful farewell to the club’s supporters as he ended a 10-year spell at the trophy-laden Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola after his last game as Manchester City manager (Image: 2026 James Gill – Danehouse)
Josep Guardiola has told his successor as Manchester City manager to be himself and not try to imitate him.
Guardiola leaves City after a glittering reign at the Etihad that saw him win 20 trophies in 10 years. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is considered the likely candidate to replace Guardiola this summer. And Guardiola insists he is not worried about the club continuing to be successful without him.
“The next manager should be himself. That’s the most important thing. The new manager should be himself in the way he communicates, the way he treats people, the way he plays, the way he works. And this club is very, very good in many ways. And we always do really well with the transfer of players. It’s going to be good.”
read more: Pep Guardiola breaks down in tears as Man City players form guard of honorread more: Sky Sports forced to apologize following Josep Guardiola’s tearful Man City farewell speech
Guardiola broke down in tears as he bid an emotional farewell after Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa. Guardiola took charge of his final match as manager after a glorious decade, addressing 60,000 fans from the center circle at a packed Etihad Stadium.
After traveling to Manchester to watch his son see off, he struggled to finish the game in front of his father Valenti Guardiola, who was watching from the stands. A montage of the best moments of his reign was shown on the big screen, and City also paid generous tributes to the departing duo of Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
Guardiola said: “I’m very nervous. It’s scary. Why do you love me so much? Why would you do this to me?” I couldn’t have imagined the magnitude of the love. “It’s an honor to be here. The reason I stayed was because I wanted them to give us some incredible players. I hope we (City) continue to fight and give everything.”
“Next year, all of you around the world, you’ll find me in the streets and wherever you are as a City fan, come and hug me. I need that. It’s been a great honor to represent this club. Every decision I’ve made has been for the best of this club. I love you very much.”
“Let me tell you, it was a lot of fun.”
Pep Guardiola struggled to maintain his composure as he spoke at the Etihad Airways
Guardiola’s final act will be leading his team in an open-top bus parade around Manchester on Monday, when millions of people are expected to line the streets to say their final goodbyes.
Bernardo Silva, who is also leaving the Etihad, also paid glowing praise to Guardiola. He hailed him as the greatest coach of all time.
“It’s because of Pep that we have won so much. He took the wheel, he made the decisions and he built this monster team, which was successful not just for one or two seasons, but for a very long time,” Silva said.
“That’s the most difficult thing. He never stopped inventing new things, never stopped evolving, never allowed the opposition to adapt.
“And on a personal level, he’s my father in football and I’m really grateful for everything he’s done for me. And I believe he’s the greatest coach of all time.”
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