End Of An Era! Pep Guardiola Set To Step Down As Manchester City Manager After 10 Legendary Years Of Dominance
After a decade that redefined English football and transformed Manchester City into one of the greatest clubs on the planet, the curtain is finally coming down on the Pep Guardiola era — and Sunday will be his last game in the dugout at the Etihad.
It’s Official
Pep Guardiola is officially set to step down as Manchester City manager after 10 historic years at the helm. The Catalan’s legendary tenure will conclude this Sunday following City’s final Premier League match against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
The news has been an open secret among those close to Guardiola for some weeks, but confirmation is expected on Sunday, timed to allow his legacy to be properly celebrated at an open-top bus parade through Manchester on Monday.
His Own Words
Pep recently joked that his time at Manchester City has been “f***ing fun” when asked if Saturday’s FA Cup final could have been his last trip to Wembley with the club. When asked at a press conference if he had done himself proud during his time at the club, he flexed his biceps and said with a smile: “Yes, of course — 19 titles in 10 years is not bad!”
The Trophy Cabinet Of A God
The 55-year-old will bring an end to a decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium, during which he has guided City to 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a historic Champions League triumph. Guardiola will walk away having already secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season alone.
A Decision Made Weeks Ago
Club hierarchy have reportedly begun notifying sponsorship partners, with the official announcement timed ahead of the planned open-top bus parade on Monday. Despite telling reporters “no way” when questioned about leaving, sources confirmed that Guardiola made his mind up on his Manchester City future some weeks ago.
The Greatest Managerial Tenure In English Football History
After transforming both Barcelona and Bayern Munich into dominant forces, Guardiola arrived in England and elevated Manchester City into one of the most feared teams in world football, collecting 20 major trophies along the way. City had already tasted Premier League success before his arrival, but Guardiola took the club to an entirely different level, redefining standards of domestic dominance while finally delivering European glory.
What Comes Next For City?
With the departure of the greatest manager in the club’s history now a reality, Manchester City face a historic administrative headache as sporting director Hugo Viana must immediately trigger contingency plans to find a replacement. The most likely candidate to take the position from the start of the 2026/27 campaign is former Manchester City assistant coach and ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, whilst former captain and current Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is hugely admired.
What Comes Next For Pep?
The world will be watching. A man of Guardiola’s genius will not stay away from football for long. Whether it is a national team, a new project or a well-deserved sabbatical — wherever he goes next, the football world will follow.
The Verdict
Manchester City before Pep Guardiola and Manchester City after Pep Guardiola are two completely different clubs. He didn’t just win trophies — he changed the DNA of the institution, the city and English football itself. Sunday against Aston Villa will be emotional, historic and utterly unforgettable.
Thank you, Pep. There will never be another one like you.
Pep Guardiola. Manchester City. 2016–2026. Twenty trophies. One legend.