Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has confirmed he will leave the club after Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
The 55-year-old Spaniard will bring an end to a historic spell at City, where he guided the club to 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles across 10 seasons in charge.
Speaking about his decision, Guardiola said, “Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time.
“Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”
According to BBC Sport, City had already begun planning for Guardiola’s exit despite the manager still having a year remaining on his contract.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola at City, is currently viewed as the leading candidate to succeed him.
The announcement arrives just days after City surrendered the 2025-26 Premier League title to Arsenal. A draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed Arsenal as champions for the first time in 22 years.
Guardiola joined City in 2016 from Bayern Munich after replacing Manuel Pellegrini. Under his leadership, City became the first Premier League side to reach 100 points in a single season during the 2017-18 campaign.
In 2022-23, Guardiola led City to a historic Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, becoming only the second English club after Manchester United to achieve the feat.
City also became the first club in English football history to win four consecutive top-flight league titles after triumphing in the 2023-24 season.
Despite stepping down as manager, City confirmed Guardiola will remain connected to the club through a future role as a global ambassador with the City Football Group.
Before arriving in England, Guardiola enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, where he established himself as one of football’s greatest managers.
As a player, Guardiola spent most of his career at Barcelona, winning multiple domestic honours and the 1991-92 European Cup, while also making 47 appearances for the Spain national football team.
