Manchester City confirm Pep Guardiola will step down from his role as manager at the end of the season

Pep Guardiola will step down as manager of Manchester City at the end of the season, ending one of the most dominant eras in English football history.

City confirmed the news on Friday morning, with Guardiola set to leave the Etihad Stadium after 10 years in charge.

The Spaniard’s current contract had been due to run until 2027 after he signed an extension in late 2024, but the club have now announced this will be his final season in charge.

Guardiola will remain connected to City Football Group as a global ambassador following his departure.

In an emotional farewell message released by the club, Guardiola thanked supporters, staff and players for what he described as an unforgettable period of his career.

“Thank you for trusting me,” Guardiola said. “Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me.”

The 55-year-old leaves behind an extraordinary legacy after transforming City into one of the greatest sides in English football.

Guardiola won 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the club’s first Champions League crown.

His City side also completed a historic treble during the 2022-23 season and became the first club to win four consecutive Premier League titles.

However, the current campaign has represented a changing of the guard in English football.

Arsenal were officially crowned Premier League champions earlier this week after City failed to beat Bournemouth, ending Guardiola’s hopes of another league triumph.

City also finished third behind Liverpool and Arsenal during the 2024-25 campaign, meaning Guardiola will leave having gone two straight seasons without winning the title.

Despite that, his influence on the Premier League remains enormous.

Guardiola fundamentally changed the tactical landscape of English football during his time at City, with his possession-heavy approach and positional structure influencing coaches throughout every level of the game.

His methods, once questioned during his early months in England, eventually became the blueprint for many clubs across the country.

City are now expected to turn towards former assistant and ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s successor.

Maresca has reportedly already begun discussions over summer transfer plans and pre-season preparations alongside sporting director Hugo Viana.

Guardiola’s final game in charge will be against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on the final weekend of the season.

His departure will also coincide with a major squad transition at City, with long-serving figures including Bernardo Silva and John Stones expected to leave this summer.