Signs have been visible for some time indicating that Pep Guardiola was gearing up to leave Manchester City. His departure was officially announced on Friday morning, following a string of hints leading up to the confirmation.
Consider his unexpected visit to Edgeley Park during Stockport County’s fixture with Port Vale at the end of April. The official explanation for this surprise appearance was that Guardiola had made a promise to Stockport’s owner, Mark Stott—who also serves as his landlord—to catch a game. At a subsequent press conference, Guardiola humorously remarked that he was free that night because theChampions League semifinal first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich—an exhilarating match that ended 5-4—was a “s— game.”
However, those familiar with Guardiola suggested that his appearance was a reflection of his profound appreciation for English football, nurtured during his decade-long tenure in the U.K.
Typically, when his schedule permits, the 55-year-old would return to Spain and his native Barcelona. Yet, aware that his time at City was winding down and eager to fulfill Stott’s invitation, he opted to spend a rare day off in Stockport, immersing himself in the atmosphere of lower-league football.
Guardiola confirmed on Friday that Sunday’s match against Aston Villa would mark the end of his remarkable ten-year stint at the Etihad Stadium, during which he amassed a staggering collection of trophies. While the Premier League will undoubtedly feel his absence, it is the very essence of English football that he will miss the most.
Guardiola has always had a soft spot for classic stadiums like Selhurst Park, which was built over a century ago amidst a south London residential area. He also appreciated Goodison Park before Everton moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium. His fondness for the FA Cup stems partly from its ability to send prominent teams to traditional venues like Leyton Orient and Swansea City. Guardiola cherishes the quaint, old-school stadiums, their humble dressing rooms, and the often intimidating atmospheres, especially enjoying the intense chants of “Who are you? Who are you?” as he stands on the sidelines.
Guardiola has undeniably left his mark on England, and his impact on English football has reverberated through every corner he has touched during his time at City.
In August 2024, while seated in Manchester’s Opera House to witness Phil Foden receive his PFA Player of the Year trophy, veteran EFL player Dean Lewington was invited on stage to accept his own award. When questioned about the most significant change he observed in English lower leagues, Lewington paused and pointed directly at Guardiola. “We often discuss what he was doing and his ideas,” he remarked. “Whether he acknowledges it or not, he’s greatly influenced the evolution of the entire game here.”
Guardiola is astute enough to recognize how his tactical innovations have trickled down throughout the leagues, yet he has always been reluctant to speak about himself. He doesn’t rate his personal influence as a noteworthy achievement, nor does he view the 20 trophies won at City as his most significant legacy.
For Guardiola, consistency reigns supreme.
Since his arrival in Manchester in 2016, he has never finished lower than third in the Premier League. Although Liverpool has captured two titles during his tenure, they have also finished outside the top three three times. In the 2022-23 season, Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp—whom Guardiola regards as his toughest rival—finished fifth and missed out on Champions League qualification. In contrast, City has not missed out under Guardiola.
To Guardiola, that reliability means everything. It’s why he holds his five Carabao Cup titles in such high regard, alongside his eight consecutive FA Cup semifinal appearances and four finals in a row from 2023 to 2026. Why does he value them so highly? It’s because he believes that in cup competitions, one bad day can sabotage your pursuit; under his leadership, City has seldom experienced such off days, reaching the final or semifinal of Wembley a remarkable 24 times.
Guardiola believes that a successful season shouldn’t merely be quantified by the number of trophies won, but rather by assessing whether the team performed in the right manner to compete. It’s this aspect that he will remember most from his time at City, while others will likely focus on the trophies.
1:11
Ogden: Guardiola is on par with Sir Alex Ferguson
Mark Ogden states it will be incredibly challenging for Manchester City to reproduce the level of success they enjoyed under Pep Guardiola, as “players signed and stayed for Pep.”
In December 2023, after clinching the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Guardiola completed his collection of major silverware as City boss. Yet, it also signaled the onset of the end of his tenure at the Etihad.
Harboring a weary demeanor while seated in the media theater at the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, Guardiola stated he had “closed a chapter.” The gravity of his words caused a brief moment of anxiety for the club’s media officer sitting next to him, as if they feared Guardiola might resign on the spot.
Of course, he didn’t resign, but attendees left with an impression that, for the first time, his energy and motivation appeared to be diminishing.
City faced a unique situation, as the contract extension Guardiola signed in November 2022 was set to last until June 2025—a summer marked by commitments for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Executive management was acutely aware that the tournament’s timing would complicate any potential transitions to a new manager. Ultimately, Guardiola’s agreement on a new deal in response to City’s disappointing 2024-25 season surprised many, particularly because it was for two additional years instead of one.
While Guardiola has been officially contracted until 2027, he had already indicated that the summer of 2026 would be a pivotal moment for reassessment. In the end, a break clause in his contractactive this summer has facilitated his departure.
The extra year on his contract functioned as a buffer for Guardiola, allowing him to deflect mounting inquiries about his future with the stock phrase, “I have one more year on my contract.”
Given City’s relationship with Guardiola, the club maintained confidence that he would provide ample notice ahead of his departure, which he did. This foresight allowed for a relatively seamless search for his successor.
Discussions with Enzo Maresca, a former Guardiola assistant, have been underway since his tenure at Chelsea. His exit from Stamford Bridge in January eased the pursuit, and sources have indicated that the Italian turned down various opportunities with other clubs, including Napoli, in hopes of taking the reins at the Etihad.
As a former employee of City, Maresca possesses a unique understanding of the club’s demands and expectations, along with established relationships with players like Erling Haaland, Rodri, and Rúben Dias. This makes him a strong contender to replace Guardiola.
Internally, however, City recognizes the significant challenge Maresca is confronted with.
0:49
Nicol: Chelsea’s loss is Man City’s gain with Enzo Maresca
Steve Nicol suggests it’s “not a surprise” that reports indicate Enzo Maresca could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
In recent times, both Manchester United and Arsenal have demonstrated how difficult it can be to replace a legendary manager. Following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United’s reign of dominance from the 1990s and 2000s came to a screeching halt, with sustained success remaining elusive over a decade later.
Arsenal recently won their first league title in 22 years and look positioned to defend it effectively next season. Nonetheless, City feels they are in a stronger position compared to their rivals when it comes to weathering the upheaval following Guardiola’s departure. Before exiting, Guardiola managed the evolution away from the treble-winning squad of 2023, which featured key players such as Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Kevin De Bruyne. This summer will also see the departure of two more influential members of Guardiola’s finest squads—Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
In their place, a youthful squad is taking shape around talents like Phil Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nico O’Reilly, and Rayan Cherki. New signings like Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi, acquired in January, have already secured two trophies this season with victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Major overhauls aren’t anticipated this summer, with Elliot Anderson targeted to strengthen the midfield, but expectations for widespread changes are minimal.
On the field, City’s outlook is promising. However, the potential repercussions of the 115 charges made by the Premier League create an enormous uncertainty regarding the future of the club. Regardless, City is poised to forge ahead in the image of their now-legendary coach.
During a news conference on Monday, Guardiola chuckled at the notion that he has achieved with City what his mentor, Johan Cruyff, accomplished at Barcelona by transforming the entire club. “He changed the mentality,” Guardiola remarked, striving to clarify that the comparison was flawed, yet perhaps unwittingly describing his own profound influence.
Whether he chooses to acknowledge it or not, Guardiola departs from a club and a nation that will forever bear the imprint of his legacy.