An emotional Pep Guardiola speaks for the first time on the decision to step down as manager of Manchester City.
The 55 year old has confirmed that he will be leaving this summer after 10 years at the helm, in that time, lifting 20 trophies, an incredible legacy behind after taking over in 2016.
In a statement issued, which you can read below, Guardiola is to continue his association with City Football Group as a global ambassador.
Man City also announce that the newly-developed and expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’ along with a statue of him.
“What a time we have had together.” 🩵 pic.twitter.com/WpkFecBYT4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 22, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Pep Guardiola will step down as Manager of Manchester City this summer.
The Catalan, who joined City in July 2016, has had a transformative effect during his ten years in charge, and will leave having won 20 major trophies – making him the most successful Manager in our history.
Despite his departure as Manager of Manchester City, Pep will continue his relationship with the City Football Group, by taking up a role as a Global Ambassador. The role will see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations.
“When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun,’” Guardiola said.
“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, 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.
“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.”
Reflecting on the news, Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Over the last ten 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.
“There have been points along the way when he could have stopped, and it would have been enough. Somehow, Pep always found new energy and pushed on, finding different and innovative ways to continue winning and delivering success.
“As a result, the Club has a decade of memories and success to be forever grateful for, and much more than that, an evolution that cannot be undone.
“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 ten years he has not only made Manchester City better – he has also made football better.”
We see things they’ll never see 🏆🐐 pic.twitter.com/s2I6Jf7wUD
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 22, 2026
Manchester City Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano added: “We have been privileged to work alongside Pep Guardiola for 10 years. We have witnessed his greatness and dedication, but also enjoyed his companionship, his friendship and humanity. What a privilege it has been for so many of us at Manchester City!
“Pep’s legacy is extraordinary and its true impact will be better assessed by Manchester City historians of the future. He contributed decisively to our journey to global excellence and his high standards will be a reference for our players and managers of the future.
“If there is something more difficult than winning, it is winning again. It requires incredible persistence, resilience and the humility to start again every year, with the same energy, again and again. This is what Pep did.
“Nobody would have believed, ten years ago, that we could win 20 trophies in this decade, playing entertaining football of such high quality. It was unthinkable… and yet it was done.
“As we celebrate the past, we are also very happy to know that Pep will stay with the group and we will be able use his knowledge and experience in so many of our other clubs to help managers and players.
“We will forever be grateful to Pep and cherish so many unforgettable memories. He is a City legend… forever.”
Pep Guardiola to step down after incredible decade as City Manager 🩵
🔗 https://t.co/u84AZYY23t pic.twitter.com/QYTPARaprO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 22, 2026
Here’s the social media reaction as Pep Guardiola speaks for the first time on the decision to step down as manager of Manchester City…
@thegingerwig: Fucking hell that was a tough watch
@FanzoneDanny: Absolutely broken, words can’t express what this man has done for our club and our City. Pep didn’t just win trophies, he transformed our club, our mentality, our belief. Thank you for every memory, every title, every magical night. Farewell to the greatest to ever do it! 🩵
@MoonbeamsLittle: Bloody hell, there won’t be a dry eye in the house on Sunday. Pep, Bernardo and Stones all saying goodbye – hope every one of them gets their song sung loud and proud throughout
@StretfordPaddck: 15 minutes after United announce Carrick, Pep leaves City. Hard to blame him to be fair. #scared
@georgecockburn_: What an absolute blessing to have been able to witness these past ten years. Our wildest dreams made into reality and all down to Pep. The greatest of all time 🩵
@QueenSandy_CFC: Ah man, this genuinely hurts. 💙 As a Chelsea fan, I should probably be celebrating the end of an era, but football won’t be the same without Pep on the touchline. What he’s done for the game has been incredible. Respect, admiration, and nothing but thanks for the memories. 🐐⚽💔
@ajonno92: Gave me 10 years of watching city I could only dream about as a kid. Yeah he’s had money to spend, but what a fucking ride. We won it all with the 🐐
@FPLMaineRoad: Thanks for the best 10 years we could ever imagine, for the unforgettable memories we will cherish for a lifetime. Not only are you an amazing manager, but you are an amazing person. Standing up for what you believe in, embedding yourself into Manchesters culture. You will be missed. @PepTeam
@CodyC901: An absolutely beautiful farewell from a man who loved City as much as we do. Thank you, Pep. The legacy you’ve left will never be topped. We love you. 🩵
@mancity_talk: Absolutely gutting but not surprising. What a guy, what a manager. The best ever and it’s not even close. Thank you, Pep 🩵
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