Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media after confirmation he will leave the club at the end of the season, with his final game in charge against Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 16:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- He said it’s “been the experience of my life” managing Manchester City and he is “leaving with incredible peace” because he “gave everything for this club”.
- On why now: “It’s the time. It’s a process I have felt for a while. 10 years is a lot of time and I think the club needs a new manager and new energy with the incredible players we have right now. Start to write another chapter. I did my best. I gave everything until my last drop of what I have.”
- He said it is “absolutely” to do with energy levels and added: “I feel I will not have the energy required to deliver every day the expectations of titles and being around the players. I know myself. It’s not because of ambition, or [that] I don’t want to try it again.”
- More on the toll of the job: “The passion and energy I’ve always had since I was a little boy, I don’t feel like I will have in the future. I have to be honest to the club that gave me everything and to the people that rely on me.”
- He said he is “going to take a step back” from football and “rest”, adding he has “no plans” to go back into training “for a while”.
- He confirmed he told the players this morning of his decision and joked that “the speech was a disaster” because he was “so nervous”.
- The decision to announce his departure today was because they “cannot fight for anything else” [trophies] and he wants to “say a proper goodbye on Sunday” at the Etihad.
- He said “it’s the perfect time” to depart the club as the team is “much better than last season” when they had to rebuild.
- On the North Stand being named after him: “Speechless. No words. They called me this morning and said the club took the decision. I like to feel that my vibe and my energy will be there forever. I like that feeling. In the bad moments, they can look for Pep and I will send good energy to the team and club.”
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