Pep Guardiola has landed a new job with Manchester City's parent club immediately after his departure from the Etihad Stadium was confirmed. The 55-year-old will take on an ambassadorial role with City Football Group, which the club says 'will see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations'.
Sunday's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa will mark his final match after a decade at the helm. The announcement follows several days of mounting speculation and concludes one of the most triumphant managerial tenures in English football history. Since taking charge in 2016, Guardiola has presided over 20 trophy victories, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Guardiola's Farewell Statement
In an extensive farewell statement, Guardiola said: 'When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, 'OK... 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.' He concluded with: 'Noel...I was right. It has been so f****** fun. Love you all.'
Guardiola's deal was set to run until the summer of 2027, but he has negotiated an agreement to stand down 12 months ahead of schedule. His former assistant Enzo Maresca, who has been without a club since departing Chelsea in January, is the frontrunner to replace him.
A Decade of Dominance
City secured a major coup when they brought in Guardiola, widely considered the finest coach of his generation, a decade ago. He arrived carrying an illustrious reputation, having clinched the Champions League twice and three LaLiga titles with Barcelona, before going on to secure three Bundesliga crowns with Bayern Munich.
His spell in Manchester delivered relentless domestic supremacy, including three FA Cup triumphs and five Carabao Cups, while further honours included the Club World Cup. Among the most remarkable accomplishments of his reign were the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 2023, a domestic treble in 2019, and a record-smashing 100-point league campaign in 2018.
He departs following a domestic cup double this season, while hopes of a seventh league crown only evaporated in their second-to-last fixture on Tuesday, when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Legacy and Future
Chief executive officer Ferran Soriano said: 'Pep's legacy is extraordinary and its true impact will be better assessed by Manchester City historians of the future.' Guardiola will now focus on his ambassadorial duties, providing technical advice and working on projects across the City Football Group's global network of clubs.
