Manchester City have confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club after Sunday’s final game of the season.
Guardiola has won 20 major trophies in charge of City, including six Premier League titles across his 10-year tenure. His final match will be against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
Reports had previously suggested City were preparing for his departure, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca emerging as a leading candidate to replace him.
The announcement comes three days after City were beaten to the 2025–26 Premier League title by Arsenal, who were confirmed as champions following City’s draw with Bournemouth.
“When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun,’” Pep Guardiola said.
“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.
“This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“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. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.
“Players don’t forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me.
“Thank you for pushing me.
“Thank you for loving me.
“Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“Noel…I was right.
“It has been so f****** fun.
“Love you all.”
Guardiola signed an initial three-year contract with City in February 2016, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the 2016–17 season.
Although he finished that debut campaign without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career—and also went without silverware last season—his City team have otherwise dominated English football during his tenure.
City remain the only side to reach 100 points in a Premier League season, achieving the milestone in 2017–18, when they also set a record 106 goals in a single campaign.
In 2022–23, they became only the second English club, after Manchester United in 1998–99, to complete the Treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.
Guardiola’s side also made history by becoming the first team to win the English top-flight title in four consecutive seasons, completing the run in 2023–24.
He signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2026–27 season.
City described Guardiola’s impact as “transformative” and confirmed he will continue his relationship with the City Football Group in a future role as a global ambassador.
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