Pep Guardiola appears to have begun the process of moving out of his Manchester apartment after finally confirming his departure from Manchester City. Guardiola will step down as City boss on Sunday following a trophy-laden decade in charge.
Removal Men Seen at Deansgate CitySuites
Hours after Manchester City officially confirmed Guardiola's departure—first revealed by Daily Mail Sport on Monday—removal men were observed taking belongings from his apartment at the Deansgate CitySuites in central Manchester. This occurs just days before his final match in charge against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has resided at the 16-storey building, which houses 237 one- and two-bedroom apartments, each with fitted kitchens and spacious living areas. Two floors consist of privately-owned units, with Guardiola having purchased his for £2.7 million in 2017.
Return to Barcelona?
Reports have emerged that Guardiola is planning to return to his hometown of Barcelona and is set to acquire a luxury property worth £13.5 million in the city. The Catalan has secured 17 major trophies during his tenure at City, including the FA Cup victory over Chelsea, though he fell just short of a seventh Premier League title.
Talk surrounding Guardiola's future has persisted throughout the season, and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is expected to be announced as his successor.
Guardiola's Emotional Farewell
Manchester City announced the news on X with a video message from Guardiola, who reflected on his time at the club. He 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.'
He added: '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.'
Guardiola also paid tribute to the club's support during personal hardships, including the death of his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying: 'I 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.'
Legacy and Tributes
Guardiola masterminded a domestic treble in 2019 and became only the second coach of an English team to complete the league, FA Cup, and Champions League treble four years later. City's 2018 squad holds the record for being the only team in English history to reach 100 points in a top-flight season.
The club has organised a parade to celebrate the men's and women's teams on Monday, with an after-party at the Co-op Live arena near the Etihad. Additionally, the Etihad's North Stand expansion will be named after Guardiola, and a statue will be erected in his honour. An extra 7,000 seats will be open behind one goal for his final match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
