Pep Guardiola Explains Man City Exit: ‘It Is The Perfect Moment’ After 10 Years and 17 Trophies

Pep Guardiola will take charge of Manchester City for the final time on Sunday when the club host Aston Villa in their last home fixture of the season, bringing to a close one of the most decorated managerial tenures in English football history.

The 55-year-old confirmed his departure comes down to a personal assessment of his own drive and capacity to sustain the demands of elite management. “I feel I would not have the energy required daily, every three days, to fight for the title,” Guardiola said. “After 10 years, it is good to shake things up, to see different faces — it’s really good for everyone. If I did not believe that, and if they didn’t sack me, I would stay. But I think it is the perfect moment.”

Guardiola’s exit arrives a year before his contract was set to expire. Reports earlier in the week had suggested the club was already making preparations for a managerial transition, and Manchester City subsequently confirmed that Sunday’s match would be his last in the dugout.

During his ten years at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola transformed City into the dominant force in English and European football. His tenure produced 17 major trophies, among them six Premier League titles and the club’s first UEFA Champions League title — a historic treble-winning campaign in the 2022/23 season that also included an FA Cup triumph.

On Friday morning, Guardiola addressed his squad directly, informing them of the decision ahead of the weekend. He acknowledged the moment did not go as smoothly as he had hoped, describing his address to the players as “a disaster” due to his nerves. He also recorded a video message in which he reflected on the emotional weight of leaving. “Nothing is eternal,” he said in the clip. “Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”

The announcement has prompted a wave of tributes from prominent figures in the game. Germany head coach Hansi Flick, who previously worked alongside Guardiola at Bayern Munich, paid an emotional tribute, calling him “the best in the world.” PSG manager Luis Enrique also weighed in, describing Guardiola as the “best manager of all time” and referring to him as an idol.

Off the pitch, Manchester City have already announced plans to honour Guardiola’s legacy with a statue and a renamed stand at the Etihad Stadium, underlining the magnitude of his contribution to the club.

Attention is now turning to who will succeed him. According to reports, former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is considered the frontrunner for the role. Maresca, who previously served as an assistant under Guardiola, has first-hand knowledge of the tactical systems and organisational culture the Spaniard built at City — a factor likely to weigh in his favour as the club seeks continuity in its footballing identity.