Pep Guardiola won 17 major trophies during his spell in charge at Manchester City, and 20 in all, since taking over in 2016, including six Premier League titles.
11:12, 22 May 2026Updated 11:19, 22 May 2026
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interact prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England
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Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta(Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he will step down as Manchester City head coach at the end of the season. The 55-year-old will take charge of his final game on Sunday afternoon when the Citizens host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
In an interview with club media, Guardiola said: "When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.
"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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."
Meanwhile, the 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.
Pep Guardiola is set to join Manchester City fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura in leaving the club at the end of the season
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Pep Guardiola is set to join Manchester City fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura in leaving the club at the end of the season(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
"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."
Earlier this week, ahead of Tuesday night's draw to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, which crowned Arsenal as the new Premier League champions, it was widely reported that Guardiola would depart after 10 years at the helm. After the game, the Catalan was quizzed on his future.
Keeping his cards close to his chest, he said: "I can say I have one more year of contract. I’m in a position I’ve had for many, many years. It’s always from my experience, when you announce during the competition, it’s a bad result.
"The first person I have to talk to is my chairman. We decide when we finish the season, we’ll see and we’ll talk. It’s as simple as that, and after that we’ll take the decision.
"I will not tell you here because I have to talk with my chairman, my players and my staff," added Guardiola. "I’m the happiest man in the planet to be in this club, this club is just extraordinary."
The Catalan won 17 major trophies during his spell at Manchester City, and 20 in all, since taking over in 2016, including six Premier League titles. Although Guardiola couldn't secure a seventh, he bowed out in style, marking his final season with the domestic double.
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The Catalan won his first trophy of the season in March, when Manchester City defeated Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, before lifting second piece of silverware in May, beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
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