Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will leave Manchester City after Sunday's final Premier League match against Aston Villa, ending a decade-long tenure that brought 17 major trophies to the club. The 55-year-old manager revealed that declining energy levels prompted his decision to step away from coaching for an indefinite period.
City announced that the Etihad Stadium's extended North Stand will be renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand, opening for Sunday's game. A statue of Guardiola will also be erected on the approach to the stand. Guardiola, whose 94-year-old father will attend the match, described the honour as 'incredible' and said he hopes his 'vibe and energy' will remain at the club.
Guardiola stated he has 'no plans to train for a while' and needs to 'step back' after nearly two decades of continuous management at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City. 'I will be out for a while,' he said, emphasising the need to rest and recharge after years of demanding schedules.
Under Guardiola, City won six Premier League titles, including a record fourth consecutive crown this season, a Champions League in 2023, and five Carabao Cups. His first league title in 2017-18 came with a record 100 points and 106 goals. The club also achieved the domestic treble in 2018-19 and the continental treble in 2022-23.
Guardiola will take up an ambassadorial role within the City Football Group, though he stressed he will have no decision-making power. Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expected to replace him. Guardiola received a congratulatory voicemail from Sir Alex Ferguson, though he joked that the Scottish accent made it difficult to understand.
