Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after 10 years at the club.
The Spaniard hailed it as an “incredible decade”, winning 20 trophies with the Citizens.
Guardiola will continue with the City Football Group, taking up the role of Global Ambassador.
Addressing his departure, the Spaniard said: “When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking: ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.’
Pep Guardiola will leave City at the end of the season | REUTERS
“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.”
The Spaniard won 20 trophies during his tenure at City
|
REUTERS
Addressing the fans, he continued: “Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, 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, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.”
Guardiola thanked the fans for trusting him
|
REUTERS
The Spaniard explained the impact it had on the players, saying: “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.”
Concluding his poignant message, Guardiola added: “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.”
Guardiola concluded his message, saying: ‘It has been so f****** fun. Love you all’
| GETTY
Guardiola’s record of six Premier League titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, one Club World Cup, one Super Cup and three FA Community Shields.
He achieved the infamous 100 points tally in 2018, an all-time Premier League record.
After losing a Champions League final in 2021 to Chelsea, the Spaniard followed it up by winning the competition, beating Inter Milan in the final.
He concludes this season with the League Cup and the FA Cup, leaving City as their greatest-ever manager.
Enzo Maresca is tipped to replace Guardiola at the Etihad, having worked under him before stepping into the managerial world on his own.
