MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola wiped his eyes on the sideline Sunday, bringing 10 years at Manchester City to a close with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium.
The tears came early. Long before the final whistle, the man who built the most dominant Premier League team of its generation stood with eyes welling as two of his most loyal players, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, received guards of honor upon being substituted. The n it was his turn.
A guard of honor, and an invitation to hug
"This is the man who changed everything," the stadium announcer said as Guardiola walked onto the field wearing khakis and a cream T-shirt, to thunderous applause.
Chants of "10 more years" rose from the stands. He shook his head, smiling.
Speaking from the center circle, Guardiolapaused to compose himself before addressing the crowd directly.
"I never could have imagined the amount of love I've found," he said. "It is an incredible, tremendous honor to be your manager."
He also offered a more personal request: if supporters see him around town someday, the y should give him a hug. "I will need it," he said.
Seventeen trophies and a Champions League
The numbers tell most of the story. Six Premier League titles. A first-ever Champions League crown in 2023. The domestic treble that same year. Four consecutive English league titles — a first. The 100-point season in 2018.
This season added the FA Cup and League Cup to the trophy case.
On Friday, Guardiola confirmed he could do no more. On Sunday, he said the decision was right.
"I will not miss it for a while," he admitted, his voice catching. "I feel deeply it is the right decision."
He declined to name his replacement but said he'd call whoever takes over with advice: "Be yourself. Be free with your ideas and work a lot. Everything will be fine."
Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup with Leicester City last year, is favored to step in.
'He's done everything'
Eighty-two-year-old Fred Taylor had watched City through decades of near-misses before Guardiola arrived.
"I can't think of another manager that's done what he's done in the 10-year period he's been here," Taylor said. "He means everything to this club. It's absolutely brilliant what he's done."
Fellow supporter Richard Wilbourn, now in his mid-30s, grew up with Guardiola as a constant.
"It's hard to describe — it's someone you don't actually know, but you feel like you do," Wilbourn 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."
City has honored him by naming its newly developed north stand after him. He'll also take up a role as global ambassador.
"I'm sad he's leaving, but I think he's leaving at the right time," Taylor said. "He's done everything and he can't go any further at this club."