Buckle up, football fans — one of the greatest managerial reigns in Premier League history is coming to a close. After 10 unforgettable years at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season. Yes, you read that right. The man who turned City into a relentless winning machine is walking away with one year left on his contract.
The news dropped like a bombshell this week, and the football world is still reeling. Despite City lifting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season (the latter a 1-0 win over Chelsea that took his personal trophy count at City to a staggering 20), Pep has decided it’s time for a new chapter. His final game? Expected to be this Sunday against Aston Villa at the Etihad — cue the tissues and standing ovations
The Title That Got Away
This exit hits extra hard because it comes right after Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to snatch the Premier League crown. City’s draw away at Bournemouth confirmed the Gunners as champions with a game to spare. For a manager who built a dynasty on dominance, finishing second after years of total control must sting. No domestic treble this time, no fifth successive title push — just two cups and a respectful bow to Arteta’s relentless Arsenal side.
But let’s not get it twisted — this doesn’t diminish Pep’s legacy one bit.
What a Ride: 20 Trophies in 10 Years
When Guardiola arrived in 2016, City were a big club with big ambitions but hadn’t quite cracked the code at the very top. He didn’t just crack it — he smashed it, rewrote it, and made everyone else copy the blueprint.
Here’s the insane haul he built:
- 6 Premier League titles (including that record-breaking 100-point season and four in a row)
- Multiple domestic trebles and near-misses
- 1 UEFA Champions League (that magical 2023 triumph)
- FA Cups, Carabao Cups, Community Shields, Super Cup, Club World Cup
20 major trophies in total. That’s not just success — that’s dynasty level. He transformed the club from contenders to serial winners, revolutionized training methods, tactical setups, and even influenced how rival clubs recruit and play. His coaching tree (Arteta at Arsenal, Maresca now lined up to replace him, and many more) is taking over the game.
Pep turned billion-pound projects into poetry on the pitch. False nines, inverted full-backs, relentless pressing, and that trademark tiki-taka with a City twist. He made Erling Haaland look unstoppable, turned Kevin De Bruyne into a midfield god, and built squads that felt unbeatable for long stretches.
What’s Next?
Reports point to Enzo Maresca — Pep’s former assistant and recent Chelsea boss — as the man ready to step into those famous shoes. The succession plan looks smooth, but replacing a genius like Guardiola? Good luck with that.
For City fans, it’s bittersweet. Thank you for the memories, Pep. The Invincibles-level dominance, the nights in Europe, the sheer joy of watching football played at its highest level. You didn’t just win trophies — you changed English football forever.
The Etihad will be rocking this weekend for one last lap of honour. Expect emotion, gratitude, and maybe a few tears in the sky blue sea.
