Pep Guardiola has delivered a heartfelt farewell to Manchester City during an emotional after-party following the parade that celebrated the club’s successful domestic cup double.
Thousands of City fans filled the streets to honor their team before gathering at the Co-Op Live arena to pay tribute to the iconic manager, along with departing players Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
Advertisement
Guardiola reflected on his profound bond with the club and its supporters, expressing that he would cherish them “for the rest of his life.”
Earlier that day, Manchester’s city center was abuzz with celebration.
Even though the team missed out on the Premier League title, the squad remained upbeat, including Marc Guéhi, who celebrated his second consecutive FA Cup victory.
Guéhi could join John Stones on the pitch for England at the World Cup, but it was a moment of farewell for City icon Stones, one of Guardiola’s earliest signings and a key player in the team’s treble-winning season.
Bernardo Silva was visibly emotional at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but today, he celebrated with fond memories of an illustrious nine years at the club.
During the event, all 20 trophies collected during Guardiola’s remarkable decade were showcased on stage. The return of Vincent Kompany, who captained City to their first four Premier League titles, electrified the crowd.
City fans honored Guardiola with a chant that has been sung since his debut match—a 2-1 victory against Sunderland in August 2016.
This night marks the end of the Pep era in the Premier League, ushering in a new chapter for both Manchester and the footballing world.