Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during a training session before the Champions League final.
Credit: PA Images
Okay, so Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal supporters won't be shedding a tear after the official announcement of Pep Guardiola's departure from Manchester City..After all, the 55-year-old has overseen a decade of dominance for the club, amassing an incredible 20 trophies including six Premier League titles, a Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup.
But Guardiola leaves with a legacy of more than just trophies.
Tactically innovative with a drive for perfection, he's changed the way football is played in England and inspired coaches throughout the league and beyond.
Like with all legendary managers, think Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 and more recently Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in 2024, the Premier League is much poorer for Pep leaving.
His departure has sparked a debate over who is better: Sir Alex or Pep?
But rather than pit one against the other, I'd rather celebrate the absolute brilliance of both - supreme in their own way and their own time.
Love him or loathe him, Pep Guardiola departs not only as Manchester City's greatest manager, but the greatest of his generation and it's sad to see him go.