Monday 25 / May / 2026
Manchester: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola bid an emotional farewell to the club after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, bringing an end to his remarkable 10-year tenure with the Premier League club.
According to Goal.com, the legendary Spanish coach admitted that he felt "tired" after spending a decade at Manchester City and described stepping down as the "right decision" for both the club and the players.
The match against Aston Villa also marked farewell appearances for long-serving Manchester City players Bernardo Silva and John Stones, adding to the emotional atmosphere at the stadium.
Reflecting on the farewell, Guardiola revealed that he became emotional after seeing Bernardo Silva in tears, describing the occasion as an unforgettable and deeply emotional moment.
"I don't cry, but when I saw Bernardo cry, I cried. I said don't cry but it happened. It was such a special moment. The emotions were so high. I will never forget," Guardiola said after the match, as quoted by Goal.com.
The Spaniard said he now feels exhausted after dedicating everything to the role over the past decade. Guardiola added that although his memories with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich remain special, his time at Manchester City has given him an unmatched collection of experiences and relationships.
"I am so tired. Seriously, I am so tired. I did everything. We did it. The memories I have of Barcelona and Bayern Munich are unbeatable but the luggage of memories I have from here from 10 years is more than any other," he said.
Guardiola departs Manchester City after one of the most successful managerial spells in modern football history. During his tenure, he guided the club to 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, three FA Cups and five League Cups.
Since taking charge of the club in 2016, Guardiola managed Manchester City in 593 matches, registering 423 wins, 77 draws and 93 defeats across competitions.
Speaking about his departure, Guardiola said he believes the timing is right for him to step away and expressed gratitude to the club for respecting and understanding his decision.
"It is the right time. I will not miss it for a while, that's for sure. I feel deeply that the decision is the right decision for this club and the players. I thank the club for respecting it, they understood," Guardiola said.
The Spaniard also stressed that beyond trophies and achievements, it was the relationships and memories built during his journey at Manchester City that mattered the most to him.
"Without the trophies, I would have been sacked but it is not looking at the trophies in the cabinet at home that makes me happy. It is the memories and connections I had since day one with the city, the backroom staff and the players."
