Pep Guardiola shared his reaction after his final game in charge of Manchester City came against Aston Villa on Sunday.
It ended in a 2-1 defeat, amid plenty of emotional scenes before, during and after the game.
Guardiola announced on Friday that he would bring his time at City to an end after 10 season in charge, as he won 20 trophies during one of the greatest managerial jobs in the history of the game.
That kind of success means his legacy at City, and in the Premier League, will live on forever and the newly-opened North Stand was renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand and used on the final day of the season at Villa.
Below is Pep Guardiola’s latest reaction as he said goodbye to the Man City fans at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola reaction
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Guardiola said the following: “Thank you to all the people, the new stand is beautiful...This chapter will always be there. Many memories - forget the titles, it’s the memories. All of us. All the people here are extraordinary. Life is made of periods, we lived an incredible period. If I had energy I would stay here. A new person has to do this job.”
Asked about the new manager coming in, Guardiola had this advice: “The [new] manager has to be themselves, that’s the most important thing. The way they communicate, the way they play, they have to be them. This club is good at many things, and they do transitions really well. It will be good. You can win many titles, but the connection with the city and the people you work with.. if you are not comfortable with people you work with, you do not stay for 10 years.”
Asked about being so emotional, Guardiola was happy to share his emotions on the farewell: “Bernardo was emotional today, before the game, if you want to cry then cry, laugh then laugh. Emotions - you have to express them. I don’t cry, but when I see somebody else cry, then I cry!”
Tune in to Matchday Live as we say our goodbyes to Pep, Bernardo and Stones 🥺🩵 https://t.co/5GGL9Fb5YP
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 24, 2026
