Guardiola leaves City

The end of the Guardiola era at Manchester City was not measured by the result against Aston Villa (2-1), but by the legacy he leaves behind and the advice he will pass on to his successor. After ten years of success, the Catalan manager said he will be available to guide the next coach, with Enzo Maresca as the main candidate

Guardiola's advice for his successor

“When the club tells me who it is, I'll call him,” he said. “I'll tell him: 'Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally.' Here, coaches are protected in bad times more than anywhere else. Be free, work hard, and everything will be fine.”

The record speaks for itself: 20 titles, six Premier Leagues, and the 2023 Champions League. In his last season, Guardiola added the FA Cup and the League Cup, as well as a runner-up finish in the league. The coach himself confessed that he had already processed his departure: "Yesterday I was at home, and there was no furniture; it was practically empty. I only had a bed to sleep in. I've already processed it."

It wasn't the only farewell

The day also marked the farewell of two key players, John Stones and Bernardo Silva. Stones, who arrived in 2016 with the coach, was moved as he recalled his journey: “As a kid, I never would have believed I'd win so many titles. We've set a standard for this club. I hope that when I come back as a fan, I can see moments that are just as incredible." Both he and Silva received a guard of honor when they were substituted, a gesture that reflected the magnitude of their contributions.

City is now starting a new chapter with the certainty that Guardiola leaves behind not only trophies, but also a clear message: authenticity and hard work as a compass to sustain the identity of a club that has become accustomed to winning

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