Pep Guardiola has officially confirmed he is leaving Manchester City this weekend, and will leave the Premier League after 10 years.
The Spaniard has lifted 17 major trophies at the Etihad Stadium after securing the FA Cup with victory over Chelsea, falling just short of adding a seventh Premier League crown before departing.
Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa will be his final match after 10 years in charge.
In a lengthy leaving message, Guardiola said: ‘When I arrived, my first video was with Noel Gallagher. I walk out thinking, “oh, Noel is here, this will be fun.”
‘And what a time we have had together. Don’t ask me the reasons why I’m leaving. There is no reason. But deep inside I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal. If it was, it 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 clock in early and who stay late.
‘The factories, the bankers, the unions, the music. Simply, the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did, too. We work and we suffer. 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. And trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
‘Remember the Manchester Arena Attack? When the city showed the world what strength actually looks like. Not anger. Not fear.
‘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.’
Guardiola’s contract was due to expire in the summer of 2027, but he reached an agreement to step down 12 months early.
His former assistant Enzo Maresca, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in January, is the favourite to succeed him.
