Guardiola to conclude Manchester City tenure at season’s end
The 55-year-old Catalan coach cites personal timing as his side finishes second in the Premier League behind Arsenal, marking the close of one of English football’s most dominant eras.
Manchester City has confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to a decade-long tenure that began in July 2016. The 55-year-old Catalan coach stated that it was his time to leave, noting that "nothing is eternal," while reflecting on a period defined by unprecedented success and tactical influence.
Guardiola’s departure follows City finishing second in the Premier League table behind Arsenal. The club’s pursuit of a seventh league title ended after a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, a result that handed the championship to Arsenal. Despite this, Guardiola oversaw a domestic cup double this season and leaves as the club’s most successful manager, having secured 20 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
The trophy cabinet includes six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and the Champions League won in the 2022-23 season. His tenure is widely recognised for transforming City into a tactical juggernaut, emphasising possession and control. This approach yielded record-breaking campaigns, such as the 100-point season in 2017-18, and established a standard of consistency that forced rival clubs to evolve their own strategies.
Guardiola acknowledged the emotional weight of his departure, citing the support he received from the city during difficult personal times, including the Manchester Arena attack and the loss of his mother to COVID-19. He quoted Tony Walsh’s poem, stating, "I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place," to express his deep connection to the club and its supporters. He declined to provide specific external reasons for his exit, asserting that the decision was internal.
His final match in charge will be a home fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday. The announcement closes a chapter that saw Guardiola replace Manuel Pellegrini and build a footballing empire, navigating challenges such as the 115 charges of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules and intense competition from former proteges like Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
