Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the current season, bringing an end to a remarkable decade in charge of the Premier League champions.
The club confirmed the manager will step down after Sunday’s final home game against Aston Villa, despite still having one year remaining on his contract. His departure marks the close of one of the most successful managerial eras in modern football.
Guardiola, who has guided City for 10 years, has won 17 major trophies including multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and European honours. This season’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes were among the latest additions to his decorated reign.
His final campaign ended with disappointment in the Premier League title race after a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth allowed Arsenal to secure the championship, ending hopes of another domestic treble.
In an emotional statement, Guardiola said his decision was not driven by any single reason but a feeling that his time at the club had naturally come to an end, describing his tenure as one filled with “love, memories and eternal connection” to Manchester City.
He also reflected on the city itself, praising Manchester’s industrial heritage, resilience, and working-class identity, saying his teams embraced the same values of “work, suffering, and fighting” throughout his reign.
City have already lined up former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as his successor, with reports indicating a three-year agreement in principle. Maresca previously worked under Guardiola at City during the 2022–23 season and is currently without a club after leaving Chelsea.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak paid tribute to Guardiola, describing him as a manager who repeatedly reinvented himself to sustain success and leave a lasting legacy at the club.
Guardiola departs as one of the most influential coaches in football history, having transformed Manchester City into a dominant force in English and European football.
