Former players, including Vincent Kompany, turned up alongside 19,000 fans to salute the manager
After the final game of the season against Aston Villa, and of course the formal farewell at the Etihad for Pep Guardiola, Manchester City took things a bit further off the pitch, first having an open-top bus parade and then an after-party at Co-op Live to salute the departing coach.
Guardiola signed off after a decade that delivered 20 trophies and established the club as the dominant force in English football.
At the event there were drinks and banners and mingling. City celebrated their League Cup and FA Cup wins alongside trophies for the women’s side and academy, although much of the focus centred on Guardiola’s farewell alongside the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
The men’s and women’s teams mingled at the Stones & Silva pub, which was set up for a few days to celebrate the players.
Art 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/kaQZAUwvXa
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2026
Erling Haaland had a few words about the future, saying City must “keep pushing and fighting” for major honours after Guardiola’s departure.
“It has been an up-and-down season but we are going to try to keep pushing and try to fight to win the biggest trophies we can,” Haaland said. “That’s what we want to win and we are fighting to win everything again. It has been a pleasure to play with Bernardo and John, and of course for Pep.
“It has been an amazing journey but we need to keep pushing and fighting even without them. Now it is time to celebrate them and they are truly legends of the club.”
The celebrations drew a total crowd of 19,000. Former captain and current Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany returned for the occasion and lifted the Premier League trophy. Jack Grealish was also present, alongside former players Ederson and Fernandinho.
The return of a hero 🫡🩵
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2026
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— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2026
In his farewell address at the Etihad on Sunday Guardiola had issued a message to the squad telling them they had to preserve standards established during his reign.
“The players don’t know it, but I will be up there controlling them,” Guardiola said, referencing the newly renamed stand at the Etihad Stadium.
“The players have a huge responsibility to continue these standards. Hopefully they fight and fight and fight. This is my home.”
The pleasure will always be ours, Pep 🥺🩵 pic.twitter.com/M6SEck9qKq
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 25, 2026
At Co-op Live he also thanked supporters for their backing across his decade in Manchester, saying the bond with the club had existed “from the first minute”.
“Thank you so much for coming here tonight to say bye,” Guardiola said. “I’ve felt the connection that this club [has] from the first minute. Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude. I will have [that with me] for the rest of my life.”
