Pep Guardiola said Friday that he will leave his position as manager of Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season [4].
The departure of the 55-year-old manager marks the end of one of the most successful eras in English football history [4]. Guardiola has spent 10 years at the helm of the club, transforming its tactical approach and trophy cabinet [5].
During a news conference held on May 22, 2026, Guardiola said that he is stepping down early despite a contract that runs until the summer of 2027 [3, 7]. His tenure concludes with a final match scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026 [2, 3].
That final game will take place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester [2]. The club will face Aston Villa in the match, which serves as the closing chapter of Guardiola's leadership [1].
Guardiola's decision to depart before his contract expires suggests a desire for a transition period for the club. The manager's impact over the last decade has redefined the standards of the Premier League — a legacy that the club must now navigate without his guidance.
City officials and fans are expected to bid farewell to the manager during the Sunday fixture. The club has not yet named a successor to fill the vacancy left by the departing manager.
“Pep Guardiola said Friday that he will leave his position as manager of Manchester City”
Guardiola's exit creates a significant power vacuum at one of the world's wealthiest football clubs. Because he is leaving a year before his contract expires, the club faces the immediate challenge of finding a replacement capable of maintaining a highly specific tactical system and a culture of winning that Guardiola established over a decade.
