Manchester City have confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club after Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season, bringing an end to one of the most successful managerial eras in English football.
According to BBC Sport, the 55 year old Spaniard will take charge of his final match against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium after spending 10 seasons with the Premier League champions.
Guardiola, who joined City in 2016 from Bayern Munich, guided the club to 17 major trophies during his time in charge, including six Premier League titles and a historic UEFA Champions League triumph.
Speaking about his decision to step down, Guardiola said it was simply the right moment to leave.
“Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time,” he said.
“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.”
Reports of Guardiola’s departure surfaced shortly after Manchester City lost the 2025/26 Premier League title to Arsenal, who secured their first league crown in 22 years after City dropped points against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola at Manchester City, is currently being tipped as the frontrunner to replace him.
Guardiola initially signed a three year deal when he arrived at City in 2016, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Although he ended his first season without a trophy, his side quickly established dominance in English football, setting multiple records along the way.
Manchester City became the first Premier League side to reach 100 points in a single season during the 2017/18 campaign, while also scoring a record 106 goals.
In 2022/23, Guardiola led City to a historic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in the same season, becoming only the second English club to achieve the feat after Manchester United.
The club also made history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles following their triumph in the 2023/24 season.
Despite signing a contract extension in November 2024 that was expected to keep him at the club until 2027, Guardiola has now decided to step aside.
Manchester City, in a statement, praised Guardiola for having a “transformative effect” on the club and confirmed he would continue working with the City Football Group in a new role as a global ambassador after leaving the managerial position.
Before joining City, Guardiola enjoyed successful spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, winning multiple league titles and Champions League trophies.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time, Guardiola’s departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Manchester City’s history.
