Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025‑26 season, bringing to a close a 10‑year spell widely regarded as one of the most transformative managerial tenures in English football history. The club confirmed the decision on Friday, May 22, 2026, stating that Guardiola will step down a year before his contract was due to expire in 2027.
Guardiola departs as the most successful manager in City’s history, having won 20 major trophies since arriving in 2016, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first UEFA Champions League.
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Club Announcement And Guardiola’s Farewell Message
City’s official announcement praised Guardiola’s “transformative effect” on the club over a decade and confirmed that he will leave his role after the final game of the season at the Etihad.
In an emotional farewell video, Guardiola addressed fans directly, explaining that there was no single dramatic reason behind his exit:
“Don’t ask me why I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep down I know my time has come. Nothing is eternal. If it were, I would stay here… Eternal will be the feelings, the people, the memories… the love I feel for my Manchester City. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for cheering me. Thank you for loving me.”
He reiterated that the decision is about timing and energy rather than conflict, echoing his long‑stated intention to take a break from management once his City chapter ended.
A Decade That Rewrote Manchester City’s History
When Guardiola arrived in 2016, City were already a strong, well‑resourced club. By the time he leaves in 2026, they are a fully established superpower with a playing style that has reshaped the Premier League’s tactical landscape.
Pep Guardiola At Manchester City – Major Trophies
| Competition | Trophies Won | Seasons (selected) |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 6 | 2017‑18, 2018‑19, 2020‑21, 2021‑22, 2022‑23, 2023‑24 |
| FA Cup | 3 | including 2018‑19, 2022‑23, 2025‑26 |
| EFL / Carabao Cup | 5 | 2017‑18 to 2020‑21, 2025‑26 |
| FA Community Shield | 3 | various seasons |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | 2022‑23 (vs Inter) |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 2023 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 2023 |
| Total | 20 | 2016‑2026 |
Under Guardiola, City became the first English men’s team to win four consecutive league titles (2020‑21 to 2023‑24) and at one point held all of the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup simultaneously.
Timeline: Guardiola’s City Era
| Season | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016‑17 | Joins City; transitional first season, no trophies. |
| 2017‑18 | First Premier League & League Cup double; 100‑point league season. |
| 2018‑19 | Domestic treble (PL, FA Cup, League Cup). |
| 2022‑23 | Historic treble (PL, FA Cup, first Champions League). |
| 2023‑24 | UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup complete an unprecedented five‑trophy calendar year. |
| 2025‑26 | Third FA Cup under Pep becomes his 20th and final City trophy; departure confirmed May 22, 2026. |
Statistically, reports note that he leaves with over 400 wins, close to 1,500 goals scored and around 600 games managed across all competitions, numbers unmatched in City’s history.
Why He’s Leaving: “My Moment Has Come”
In Spanish and UK media interviews around the announcement, Guardiola downplayed any notion of crisis or internal conflict. He framed the exit as a natural end point to a long cycle:
- “I feel I no longer have the energy to fight in the same way. This was the moment.”
- “My time has come… nothing is eternal.”
This dovetails with what he has been saying for more than a year: that after City he will stop and take a break from football, possibly a lengthy one, before deciding whether to return to club management or try a national team.
From City’s side, the club had already begun preparing for a “post‑Pep” era, with director of football Txiki Begiristain also stepping away and a broader leadership reshuffle under way.
What Next For Manchester City?
While Friday’s announcements are focused on Guardiola’s departure, multiple outlets report that Enzo Maresca is lined up to take over. The former City assistant and ex‑Chelsea coach is said to have agreed a three‑year deal in principle to become manager from the 2026‑27 season.
City have not yet issued a separate full managerial appointment statement at the time of writing, but the direction is clear: Maresca is expected to inherit a squad still stacked with elite talent, but without the architect who designed the system they’ve played in for a decade.
Immediate Priorities For City Post‑Pep
| Area | Likely Focus |
|---|---|
| Manager transition | Finalise and announce Guardiola’s successor; integrate backroom staff. |
| Squad planning | Decide on futures of key figures entering final contract years. |
| Playing style | Maintain core positional‑play principles while allowing new coach’s tweaks. |
| Legacy projects | Stadium North Stand to be renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand, plus a statue at the Etihad, underlining the club’s desire to enshrine his legacy. |
How This Changes The Premier League Landscape
Guardiola’s departure is not just a Manchester City story; it is a Premier League story. During his 10 seasons in charge, City won six of seven titles between 2017‑18 and 2023‑24 and set new standards for points, goals and control.
Rival clubs will see this as the first genuine opening in years:
- Arsenal, Liverpool, and others no longer have to plan around a near‑guaranteed 90‑plus‑point benchmark.
- City must prove they can remain dominant without the manager who built their current identity.
Whatever comes next, the “Pep era” at Manchester City is over, and its influence on how English football is played and coached will be felt for a long time.
Read More: Pep Guardiola Didn’t Just Dominate the Premier League – He Redefined It
Also Read: Enzo Maresca Set to Replace Pep Guardiola as Man City Manager, Three-year Deal Lined Up
FAQs
When is Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City?
At the end of the 2025‑26 season.
How many trophies did he win with City?
Twenty major trophies in 10 years.
Why is he leaving now?
He says his “time has come” and he no longer has the same energy.
Who is expected to replace him?
Enzo Maresca is widely reported to have a three‑year agreement in principle.
Will Guardiola retire from football?
No; he plans to take a break from management before deciding his next move.
