Pep Guardiola’s exit from Manchester City is confirmed, and he has immediately landed a new job.
It’s not managerial, though, as City have announced that their greatest boss in history will be taking up an ambassadorial role.
Guardiola will be a global ambassador within the City Group.
This will see him give advice to all of the clubs within the City Group across all aspects of football.
The Spaniard joined the club in the summer of 2016 and has gone on to win everything, including the Champions League and two domestic trophies this year.
Overall, he claimed 20 major trophies and is the most successful manager in the club’s history.
And in a statement on the website, he said: “When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.
“And what a time we have had together. Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s 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.
“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 don’t 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 don’t 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. I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“Noel…I was right. “It has been so f****** fun. Love you all.”
On his new role, he said: “We talked together and I said I would love to continue to be part of this club, not a manager, I will take zero decisions, but to represent this club and organisation, I will be there.
“I like to still be part of this club in a different role. Not in daily decision or spotlight, but behind the scenes, I would like to be part of that.”
End of an era
Guardiola’s arrival at City has turned them into the dominant force in English football.
Man City managed to hold off some incredible Liverpool and Arsenal teams to claim titles glory.
And as a result, the new North Stand at the Etihad will be named after Guardiola.
In a statement, they said: “Appropriately, the stand will be fully open for the first time for the Manager’s final game in charge at the Club, the concluding game of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday.
“His Highness Sheikh Mansour has bestowed this prestigious honour in recognition of the incredible contribution Pep has made during his ten historic years as manager of the Club.
“Manchester City are delighted to announce that the newly-developed and expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’.
As part of the renaming, a statue of Pep will also be commissioned, and feature on the approach to The Pep Guardiola Stand.
“I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field. For ten years Pep has been the personification of that ambition,” His Highness Sheikh Mansour said.
“He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the Club. One that is borne more from how he won than from the many trophies he lifted.
“He has the unending gratitude of myself and the entire City family, a family of which he will always be part.”
And for Stuart Pearce, he is one of the greatest to grace the game.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “We lost Jurgen Klopp a year or so ago, that had a big impact, Arsene Wenger… I always feel sad when the collosus’ go, Sir Alex, Brian Clough.
“It’s not just Man City that will be sad, but it’s the world of football should be.
“He bought the best style of play that I’ve ever seen in my 50 years of life… he’s in an argument as one of the best managers there has ever been in the history of football.”