Pep Guardiola to leave Man City after 10 years in charge

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, he has confirmed.

Rumours swirled in recent days that the Spaniard would be departing the Premier League club after a decade in charge, but he was coy and cited the fact that he had an extra season on his contract.

However, Friday morning brought the news that he will leave after City’s final game of the season on Sunday, after failing to add to his six Premier League titles with the club.

The 55-year-old, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, also guided City to one Champions League trophy, three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

In a statement on Friday, Guardiola said: “When I arrived, my first interview was with [Oasis band member] 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.

“This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.

“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way. Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League [on Tuesday], and you were there. Trips to Istanbul [to win the Champions League in 2023], when you were there, too.

“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.

“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris [Guardiola’s ex-wife], my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon [Al Mubarak, chairman of Man City], you were there too.

“Players don’t forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.

“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me. Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem ‘this is the place’. I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.

“Noel… I was right. It has been so f**** fun. Love you all.”

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