Pep Guardiola to Leave Manchester City After Final Game of the Season

Manchester City have confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club after Sunday’s final match of the season.

Guardiola has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at City, winning 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles in 10 seasons in charge of the club.

The 55-year-old will take charge of his final game when City face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Reports from BBC Sport on Monday said the club had already started making plans for Guardiola’s departure, even though he still had one year left on his contract.

“Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving,” said Guardiola. “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.”

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola at City, is believed to be the leading candidate to replace him.

The announcement came only three days after City lost the 2025/26 Premier League title to Arsenal.

City’s draw against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed Arsenal as league champions for the first time in 22 years.

Guardiola first agreed to join City in February 2016, replacing Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the 2016/17 season.

Although he failed to win a trophy in his first season and also ended last season empty-handed, his side dominated English football for most of his time at the club.

City became the first Premier League team to reach 100 points in a season during the 2017/18 campaign. They also scored a record 106 goals that season.

In the 2022/23 season, Guardiola guided City to a historic Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in the same campaign. They became only the second English club after Manchester United to achieve the feat.

City also made history by becoming the first team to win four straight English league titles after lifting the trophy again in the 2023/24 season.

Despite stepping down as manager, City said Guardiola would remain connected to the club as a global ambassador for the City Football Group.

Before joining City, Guardiola spent three years at Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles and two German Cups.

He began his coaching career at FC Barcelona in 2008, building one of the greatest club teams in football history. During his time there, he won three La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies and two Copa del Rey titles.

As a player, Guardiola also enjoyed a successful career at Barcelona, winning six La Liga titles and the 1991/92 European Cup. He also captained Spain national football team to Olympic gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games before retiring from football in 2006.