An emotional Pep Guardiola described managing Manchester City as the “experience of his life” as he prepares to take charge of his final game on Sunday.
City confirmed this morning that the Catalan would be stepping down after 10 years in charge, during which time he has claimed 20 major trophies and revolutionised the way the game is now played in this country.
Asked to describe his decade at the Etihad, he said: “Really satisfied, I don’t know the right words. Really satisfied, happy and proud.
“It has been an experience of my life, otherwise it would not have been 10 years so I cannot be more grateful for the amount of love and affection I had, not just today, for many, many years and nothing else.”
Guardiola revealed he had received messages from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Kevin De Bruyne this morning and admitted it felt the right time to say goodbye.
He added: ”It’s the time, it’s not go to sleep and wake up one day, the day after and say now is the time to leave. It’s a process that I have felt for a while and always the club respects me an unbelievable [amount] for the decision. The club, of course, has to be ready [for his replacement] and I felt [it was time].
“Listen, this job, every few days, many many years, Salzburg and Anfield and Madrid and the FA Cup and [the business] and now I have to see, live my life and see what happens. Ten years is a lot of time and I think the club needs a new manager, new energy, these incredible players we have right now and start to write another chapter.”
And for him? “Now rest, no plans to train for a while, otherwise I would be here,” he said. “I need to step back. I will not train for a while.
“I’ve been happy doing my job in Barcelona, Bayern Munich, here. I did my best, I gave everything, until the last drop of what I have. I am leaving with incredible peace, a sense of peace in my soul, that I gave everything to this club. In a better position, the people especially, enjoy what we have done, many people are involved in that.”
City announced they would rename the newly expanded North Stand after Guardiola and also commission a statue in his honour.
The 55-year-old’s voice cracked up and he looked visibly moved when asked about the tributes.
“Speechless. No words. What can I say?” he said. “[City chairman] Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] called me and said the club had made that decision. I say, no words. I like to feel that my vibe or energy will be there forever. In the bad moments, when someone looks there and they see Pep there, I will send my energy to the team and club. It’s one of the biggest honours I could get.
“I just want to say thank you so much to the club. My father will be here on Sunday, he’s 94 and he will come and watch, and it’s an incredible honour to have his name here.”
City will also say farewell to club stalwarts Bernardo Silva and John Stones during Sunday’s game with Aston Villa.
Villa won the Europa League on Wednesday night having swept past Bundesliga side Freiburg and have already claimed a place in next season’s Champions League.
Team news for Manchester City v Aston Villa
Stones and Silva are expected to start, especially after the former was named in the England World Cup squad this morning. Josko Gvardiol could also come into the starting XI but Rodri is likely to be on the bench.
Villa will rotate given their midweek exertions.
Predicted line-ups for Manchester City v Aston Villa
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Mings, Lindelof, Maatsen; Barkley, Onana, Douglas Luiz, Sancho, Bailey; Abraham
Where to watch Manchester City v Aston Villa: TV and online streams
Manchester City versus Aston Villa kicks off at 4pm on Sunday afternoon. You can watch the game on Sky Sports and stream via the Sky Go app.
If you’re watching from outside the UK, click HERE for details of the channels showing the game in your region.
Stats for Manchester City v Aston Villa
Manchester City have won 19 of their last 20 home Premier League games against Aston Villa
Villa won the reverse fixture earlier this season and are looking to complete the league double over City for the first time since the 1962/63 season
City have won 10 and drawn five of their last 15 Premier League games
