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Pep Guardiola quits Man City in floods of tears as exit confirmed 'it'll be tough guys'

Pep Guardiola has announced his trophy-laden 10 years at Manchester City have come to an end as the Spaniard confirmed his final Premier League game

[MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Manchester, England.(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)]

Manchester City could win another Premier League title when a verdict on their 115 charges arrives(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola has announced he is leaving Manchester City after a trophy-laden 10 years.

The 55-year-old has dominated English football with the Citizens during his decade in charge at the Etihad Stadium and his style of football has been the source of inspiration for clubs and managers up and down the English football pyramid. He has lifted six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.

However, Guardiola is now stepping down as City boss following the final game of the season, with the home clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium to be his farewell.

[Pep Guardiola]

The Spaniard will wave goodbye to Manchester City(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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City confirmed that Guardiola will continue to work with the City Football Group by taking up a role as a Global Ambassador, seeing him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations.

On his exit, Guardiola said: "Dont ask me the reasons Im leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know its my time. Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.

This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.

[Pep Guardiola]

Pep Guardiola delivered Manchester City the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)

We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way. Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.

Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.

Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.

Players dont forget - every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You dont know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.

So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me.

Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. Im sorry, Tony: this is my place. NoelI was right. It has been so f****** fun. Love you all.

Guardiola joined City in 2016 after dominating Spanish football with Barcelona and winning a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

His first season in Manchester saw City fight to qualify for the Champions League rather than the title as they finished 15 points behind champions Chelsea, but Guardiola was only beginning to build the squad that would take over English football.

[Pep Guardiola]

Guardiola will bid farewell on Sunday(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

The following campaign saw City win their third Premier League crown with an unprecedented 100 points and Guardiolas first, embarking on a run of six titles in seven years.

City won the league with over 90 points in four of the six campaigns, setting a new standard at the top of English football. The 2022/23 campaign also saw the Citizens replicate Manchester Uniteds feat of winning the treble by clinching the FA Cup and Champions League as well as the Premier League.

That success marks the final time Guardiola lifted the league as City flopped to a third place finish in the 2024/25 campaign and were unable to beat Arsenal to the title this season; however, the trophies still flowed with the FA Cup last weekend following Marchs League Cup triumph.

Its believed that Enzo Maresca will be named as Guardiolas successor at the Etihad after the former Chelsea boss was moulded by the Spaniard as a coach under him at City.

Guardiola will leave City with the verdict yet to be delivered on the Premier League's 115 charges of alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. City are alleged to have broken these rules over nine years, from 2009 to 2018. The league hit City with 115 charges in 2023, though the actual number is closer to 130. City deny any wrongdoing.

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