MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola fought back tears on the sideline Sunday, bringing 10 years at Manchester City to an emotional close with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Standing at the center of the Etihad Stadium, addressing the crowd, he said: "I never could have imagined the amount of love I've found. It is an incredible, tremendous honor to be your manager, to be here 10 years."
Before the final whistle, Guardiola welled up as two of his most loyal servants, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, were given guards of honor upon being substituted in the second half. Then came his own guard of honor.
A decade of dominance
Guardiola leaves with 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a first Champions League crown in 2023. That Champions League win completed the treble, matching Manchester United's feat from 1999.
The record needed little decoration; it already did the talking. City became the first team to win four straight English leagues and the first to amass 100 points in a single season (2018). The following year, they achieved the domestic treble of league, FA Cup and League Cup in the same campaign.
This season's domestic double — the English League Cup and FA Cup — adds to a collection that redefined English football.
The quiet exit
"I will not miss it for a while," Guardiola said Sunday. "I feel deeply... it is the right decision."
He did not confirm his replacement but said he would call his successor to offer advice: "Be yourself... be free with your ideas and work a lot. Everything will be fine." Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup last year, is favored to take over.
City has honored Guardiola by naming its newly developed north stand after him. He will also take up a role as global ambassador.
"He's done everything and he can't go any further in this club," said fan Fred Taylor, 82. "I can't think of another manager that's done what he's done in the 10-year period he's been here."