Pep Guardiola announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season [1, 2].
The departure marks the end of one of the most successful managerial tenures in English football history. Guardiola's exit creates a power vacuum at the club following a season where Manchester City finished as runners-up to Arsenal in the Premier League [5].
Guardiola spent 10 seasons in charge of the club [1], during which he secured 20 titles [1]. The announcement, delivered via the club's official social-media channels, confirms he is stepping down a year before his contract expires [2, 3].
Reports indicate the manager is leaving early to resolve his future after a decade of service [2]. The club and its president are currently meeting to discuss the transition and next steps [2, 4].
Despite the departure, Guardiola reportedly turned down a $90 million proposal just hours before his exit was announced [4]. In a message to the supporters, Guardiola said, "Gracias por quererme" [2].
While some reports suggest the vacancy is immediate following the loss of the league title, other accounts describe a planned step-down at the conclusion of the current campaign [2, 4].
“"Gracias por quererme"”
Guardiola's departure signals the end of a dominant era for Manchester City. By leaving a year early, the manager provides the club with a window to plan a succession, though the loss of the Premier League title to Arsenal may have accelerated the timeline for a leadership change.
