The end of an era: After a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola will step down as Manchester City manager at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Pep Guardiola has officially confirmed that his tenure at the helm of Manchester City is drawing to end. Despite having one year remaining on his current deal, the tactician will bring his time at the Etihad Stadium to an end this weekend.

While the manager was clearly irked by the premature leak of the news, the long-standing rumours have finally been proven accurate. Speculation will inevitably swirl over whether his decision might have differed had his side not faltered last Tuesday at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth—a result that mathematically crowned Arsenal champions with one matchday to spare.

For much of the campaign, it appeared the ‘Sky Blues’ were on course to repeat the heroics of the previous two seasons, where they mounted relentless late surges to thwart Mikel Arteta. Ultimately, however, City displayed uncharacteristic defensive frailties, dropping points at the final hurdle against Everton and Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth. This Sunday, Guardiola will bid an emotional farewell to the supporters he has served for a decade in the season finale against Aston Villa.

The highly decorated Spanish coach departs with the consolation of the FA Cup—perhaps the domestic trophy he dominated the least, yet one he still secured three times. He also bows out with five EFL Cups, his second-most frequent piece of silverware behind the Premier League, a competition he ruled with an iron grip for many years.

20 trophies and the ultimate prize: the Champions League

Guardiola’s remarkable stint at Manchester City will conclude after a total of 592 matches. Arriving in 2016 following three successful years at Bayern Munich, he was effectively handed the keys to the Etihad project. It is difficult to imagine him finding a more tailored environment elsewhere, leading many to suggest his future may lie in the international arena. In a decade of dominance, he secured 20 titles, including six Premier League crowns, three Community Shields, a Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and the long-awaited Champions League.

In 2023, after years of investment and tactical refinement, City finally reached the European summit by defeating Inter Milan, thanks to a clinical strike from Ballon d’Or winner Rodri Hernandez. It was the crowning moment of a perfect year, completing a historic treble that eventually expanded into a sextuple. It is perhaps fitting that Pep departs now, feeling his masterpiece, capped by that European glory, is finally complete.

Even without a final Premier League title to his name, Guardiola departs having claimed further silverware, marking the definitive end of a cycle in English football. The beginning of the end was the departure of Jurgen Klopp, his great rival and friend, from Liverpool in 2024. Now, Manchester City loses the most influential figure of the 21st-century game. As one of football’s greatest chapters closes, the world waits to see what the future holds for the Catalan genius.

besoccer.com