Club have announced a statue of the manager will be commissioned outside the ground
Pep Guardiola has said he will step away from management after ending his decade-long spell at Manchester City, admitting he no longer feels he has the energy required to continue competing at the highest level.
Guardiola confirmed on Friday that Sunday’s final Premier League match against Aston Villa will be his last in charge, bringing to a close a 10-year period that reshaped City and delivered one of the most successful eras in English football.
The 55-year-old, who has been linked with international roles, said he intended to take an extended break before considering his next move.
“Now rest,” Guardiola said. “No plans to train for a while. Otherwise, I will be here. And I need to step back, I will not train for a while.”
Asked whether his decision reflected the exhaustion cited by Jurgen Klopp when he left Liverpool in 2024, Guardiola said: “Absolutely. I feel I will not have the energy that is required every three days to fight for titles, being in front of the players.
“I know myself, I have that energy but I feel I will not have that. It’s been 10 years.”
City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions and Guardiola revealed he informed the squad of his decision on Friday morning, although he suggested the feeling that this would be his final season had been building for some time.
“The biggest decisions happen not because I don’t have that ambition or I don’t want to try it again but it’s the perfect moment and time,” Guardiola said.
His departure will be marked by permanent tributes at the Etihad. Manchester City announced the expanded North Stand, increased as part of the stadium redevelopment project that has taken capacity beyond 61,000, will be renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand, while a statue will also be commissioned outside the ground.
Guardiola joins former City players Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero in receiving permanent recognition at the Etihad campus.
“Khaldoon called me this morning to say that the club took that decision,” Guardiola said. “I have no words. I like the feeling that my vibe or my energy will be there forever. So I like that feeling.”
