Pep Guardiola Steps Down as Manchester City Manager After Historic 10 Years
Guardiola arrived in Manchester in the summer of 2016 and proceeded to fundamentally alter the tactical landscape of English football. Over his 10 seasons in charge, he guided Manchester City to 20 major trophies, establishing the club as a dominant force both domestically and continentally.
Manchester City have officially confirmed that Pep Guardiola will step down as manager at the end of the PL 2025-26 season, concluding a transformative decade at the Etihad Stadium. The 55-year-old Spaniard, who had one year remaining on his contract, announced his decision on Friday via a club statement and social media video. He will take charge of his 593rd and final match on Sunday when City host Aston Villa in their final Premier League fixture of the campaign. Manchester United Appoints Michael Carrick as Permanent Head Coach Until 2028.
Pep Guardiola To Step Down
"What a time we have had together." 🩵 pic.twitter.com/WpkFecBYT4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 22, 2026
Guardiola has opted to activate a break clause in his contract, which was initially structured to run until June 2027. Despite heavy speculation surrounding his future following Manchester City's mid-week draw at Bournemouth, a result that saw Arsenal crowned Premier League champions, the manager clarified that his exit stems entirely from an internal feeling that his cycle has concluded.
A Decade of Unparalleled Dominance
Guardiola arrived in Manchester in the summer of 2016 and proceeded to fundamentally alter the tactical landscape of English football. Over his 10 seasons in charge, he guided Manchester City to 20 major trophies, establishing the club as a dominant force both domestically and continentally. Manchester City Wins FA Cup 2025-26; Antoine Semenyo’s Audacious Strike Ends Chelsea’s Resistance in Final.
The undisputed pinnacle of his tenure came in 2023, when City defeated Inter Milan in Istanbul to claim their maiden UEFA Champions League trophy, completing a historic continental treble. Although City missed out on the Premier League title to Arsenal this week, Guardiola bows out on a high note this season, having already secured both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Pep Guardiola Facts
| Statistic / Attribute | Record & Details |
| Tenure Duration | July 2016 – May 2026 (10 Seasons) |
| Final Match | vs Aston Villa (Home), Sunday 24 May 2026 |
| Total Major Trophies | 20 |
| Premier League Titles | 6 (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
| Champions League Titles | 1 (2023) |
| Domestic Cup Trophies | 3 FA Cups, 5 Carabao Cups |
| 2025/26 Season Honours | FA Cup, Carabao Cup |
| Future Role | Global Ambassador, City Football Group |
| Expected Successor | Enzo Maresca |
The club has announced an open-top bus parade through the streets of Manchester on Monday to allow supporters to bid a final farewell to the most successful manager in the club's history.
Meanwhile, the club has moved quickly to establish a succession plan, with former Chelsea and Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca agreeing in principle to succeed Guardiola on a three-year deal. Maresca previously worked under Guardiola as an assistant coach at the Etihad Stadium during the 2022/23 season.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 22, 2026 04:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
