7M - Guardiola Announces Departure From Manchester City After Decade

Pep Guardiola has verified that he will step down as Manchester City manager at the end of the season. The announcement on Friday concludes a phenomenal ten year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, during which the Spanish tactician secured 20 major trophies. Under his leadership, City achieved 416 victories in 592 matches, maintaining a remarkable 70.3 percent win rate and scoring 1,422 goals.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss had previously signed a contract extension through 2027, but chose to conclude his cycle early. Guardiola explained that he felt it was the right moment to step aside and allow a new manager to bring fresh energy to the squad. While he did not provide a specific reason for leaving, he emphasized that his decision was driven by declining energy levels after years of intense competition.

Guardiola leaves a legendary legacy in English football, having delivered six Premier League championships, alongside three FA Cups, five League Cups, and the club first historic Champions League title in 2023. This season, City clinched both the FA Cup and League Cup, but finished as runners up in the league behind Arsenal after a midweek draw against Bournemouth.

In a heartfelt farewell message to the fans, Guardiola expressed deep gratitude for the support he received during personal milestones and challenging times alike. His final match in charge will be the upcoming Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. Following his departure from the managerial position, he will transition into a Global Ambassador role within the City Football Group.