Guardiola says Man City 'need new energy' as exit confirmed

• Published22 May 2026, 11:18 BST

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City need "new energy" as he brought an end to his 10-year reign as manager.

The club confirmed the 55-year-old's final game in charge will be against Aston Villa on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, since he arrived a decade ago.

In honour of his impact, City's newly developed north stand will be named after him and fully open for the first time in the club's final game of the season against Europa League winners Villa.

A statue will also be built for Guardiola and positioned on the approach to the stand.

BBC Sport reported on Monday how City were preparing for Guardiola's departure a year before the end of his contract.

"Ten years is a lot of time and I think the club needs a new manager, new energy, these incredible players we have right now and start to write another chapter," he said on Friday during his final pre-match press conference.

"I feel I would not have the energy [in the future] required to daily, every three days, to fight for the title, being in front of the players.

"After 10 years, it is good to shake, to move, different faces - it's really good for everyone.

"If I did not believe that, if they don't sack me, I would stay here. But I think it is the perfect moment, perfect time."

Guardiola shared his decision with his squad on Friday morning, but added his speech "was a disaster".

"I was so nervous, more than ever," he admitted.

During the video announcement of his departure published earlier on Friday, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss 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."

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the frontrunner to replace him.

The confirmation of Guardiola's exit comes three days after the club were beaten to the 2025-26 Premier League title by Arsenal.

A 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday meant the Gunners were crowned champions for the first time since 2004.

Guardiola will leave having led City to the FA Cup and League Cup in his final campaign.

He confirmed he will take a break from coaching, but that he will begin a global ambassadorial role with the City Football Group (CFG) and offer technical advice to its member clubs.

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A record-breaking tenure

Guardiola signed an initial three-year contract with City in February 2016 to take over from Manuel Pellegrini for the start of the 2016-17 season.

Alhough he finished that campaign without a trophy for the first time in his career - and also went trophyless last season - his City side have dominated English football during his tenure.

City are the only team to reach 100 points in a top-flight season - doing so in 2017-18, when they also set the record for the most goals scored in a Premier League campaign, with 106.

In 2022-23, they became only the second English team in history - after Manchester United in 1998-99 - to complete the Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.

City also became the first team to win the English league title four seasons in a row with their triumph in 2023-24.

Overall, he won six Premier Leagues, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups and a Fifa Club World Cup.

The former Spain international signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, until the end of the 2026-27 season.

City said Guardiola has had "a transformative effect" as manager and would "continue his relationship with the City Football Group, by taking up a role as a global ambassador".

He joined City after three seasons at Bayern Munich, where he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two German Cups.

His managerial career started at Barcelona in 2008, shaping one of the best club sides ever - winning three straight La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies, before taking a year's sabbatical following the 2011-12 season.

A defensive midfielder, Guardiola spent most of his playing career at Barcelona, winning six La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and the 1992 European Cup.

He captained Spain to gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and made 47 appearances for the senior national side, before retiring from professional football in 2006.

'The only genius is him' - reaction to Guardiola's departure

England manager Thomas Tuchel: "The impact he had on every league where he trained, it's just one of a kind, just one of the very, very, very best.

"He made a big revolution with the way he played at Barcelona and then he put everything upside down in the German league, and then he comes here and crushes every record.

"It's just outstanding. There are no words that can describe this determination and this level of input, it's just highest, highest level."

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery: "He is the best coach in the world. He is a huge inspiration for other coaches, the only genius is him..

"As a competitor, wow. Always, every day, I can understand more how he is managing his team through the chapters.

"It's my pleasure to play against Guardiola, it's my honour to face him.

"I beat him here after a long time with Aston Villa and always how he shows with me massive respect is something I appreciate a lot."

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick: "Staying 10 years at a club of this level is unbelievable. What he's achieved is truly amazing.

"I always say that Pep is the best coach in the world, and he's proven that over the past 10 years, year after year. Even when things weren't going well, he always knew how to handle the situation and manage it. He's delivered exceptional work.

"I wish him now to rest a little, and to take his time before returning, and I hope he does return, because he's still young enough to do that."

Barcelona sporting director Deco: "It was unbelievable what he achieved. It's amazing. The impact he had on the game, the impact he had on the players is amazing.

"It's not easy to be in this level all these years and winning. People say it's fun to play but you need to win and he was a winner and for me is one of the best coaches in the world."

Oasis frontman and City fan Liam Gallagher: "He came, he conquered, long live the king, thank you for the good times Pep."

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan: "I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field.

"For 10 years Pep has been the personification of that ambition.

"He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the club. One that is borne more from how he won than from the many trophies he lifted."

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak: "There have been points along the way when he could have stopped, and it would have been enough. Somehow, Pep always found new energy and pushed on, finding different and innovative ways to continue winning and delivering success.

"As a result, the club has a decade of memories and success to be forever grateful for, and much more than that, an evolution that cannot be undone.

"The unique approach that he brings to his coaching has allowed him to constantly challenge the accepted truths of our game. It is the reason that in the last 10 years he has not only made Manchester City better - he has also made football better."

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Image source, Manchester City FC

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