MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola fought back tears on the sideline Sunday as his decade at Manchester City came to a close with a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.
The final whistle marked the end of an era. Emotions overflowed at Etihad Stadium as supporters bid farewell to the manager who delivered unprecedented success.
"I never could have imagined the amount of love I've found," Guardiola told the crowd from the center of the pitch. "It is an incredible, tremendous honor to be your manager, to be here 10 years."
Long before the game concluded, the emotion became visible. Guardiola welled up and rubbed his eyes as two of his most dedicated players, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, said their own goodbyes. Both received guards of honor upon being substituted in the second half.
Then the spotlight shifted to Guardiola himself. The stadium announcer declared: "This is the man who changed everything." As he ran onto the field wearing khakis and a cream T-shirt, fans erupted in cheers. Their chant of "10 more years" prompted him to shake his head in defiance.
On Friday, the manager confirmed he had reached his limit. Having transformed City into the Premier League's dominant force and the club's first European champion, he believed the time was right to step away.
"I will not miss it for a while," he said Sunday. "I feel deeply that it is the right decision."
Fred Taylor, 82, has followed City through decades of support. Speaking to The Associated Press, he summed up the manager's impact: "He means everything to me and this club. It's absolutely brilliant what he's done for it. I can't think of another manager that's done what he's done in the 10-year period he's been here."
Guardiola arrived in the summer of 2016 and immediately began building toward glory. Under his leadership, City claimed six Premier League titles and, critically, the club's maiden Champions League trophy in 2023.
Taylor identified that triumph as the standout achievement: "That's what we always wanted... we'd never done it. That was probably the highlight of his tenure."
This season, City added another domestic double by capturing the English League Cup and the FA Cup. The previous year brought an even more remarkable treble—winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup—matching Manchester United's historic feat from 1999.
Other records fell throughout his tenure. City became the first team to win four consecutive English leagues and the first to reach 100 points in a single season, accomplishing that in 2018. The following year, they achieved England's first domestic treble of league, FA Cup, and League Cup all in one campaign.
Despite those extraordinary accomplishments, the manager urged patience for whoever follows him.
"Fans don't forget that winning the treble, doubles is exceptional," he said. "It is so difficult, this business is so complicated. That's why when you come here, to win one game here at the Etihad—enjoy it. Celebrate it."
Guardiola did not name his successor but revealed he plans to contact the new manager directly.
"Be yourself," he advised. "Be free with your ideas and work a lot. Everything will be fine."
Enzo Maresca, who lifted the Club World Cup last year while coaching elsewhere, is considered the leading candidate. An official announcement may arrive within the week.
Beyond silverware, Guardiola forged a deep bond with supporters. Addressing them directly Sunday, he offered an unusual request:
"If you ever see me in the future, please give me a hug. I'll need it."
Richard Wilbourn, another longtime supporter, struggled to articulate those feelings.
"It's hard to describe—it's someone you don't actually know, but you feel like you do know," he said. "When I heard the news he was leaving, I got a bit emotional. What he's done for the club has been absolutely unreal, something we've never seen in our lifetime. Growing up through my mid-20s to mid-30s, he's been a massive part of my life."
City has immortalized his legacy by naming its newly-developed north stand after him. Additionally, Guardiola will serve as a global ambassador for the club.
Taylor reflected on the departure: "I'm sad he's leaving, but I think he's leaving at the right time. He's done everything and he can't go any further at this club. I think he's done brilliant, and I wish him all the best."
James Robson, The Associated Press