Guardiola to leave Manchester City at season’s end after decade in charge

Manchester City confirmed on Friday, May 22, 2026, that Pep Guardiola will step down as manager at the end of the season, closing a transformative 10-year spell at the club. His tenure delivered six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the club’s first Champions League crown. The decision ends one of the defining eras in English football. The club has not yet named a successor.

A 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed City will finish second in the league, and Guardiola’s final match in charge will be Sunday’s home fixture against Aston Villa. City said the managerial transition will be handled after the season concludes.

Guardiola, 55, arrived in 2016 to succeed Manuel Pellegrini and quickly reshaped City’s style around sustained possession, aggressive pressing and positional control. The approach produced swift results and record-breaking consistency, including the 2017-18 campaign when City amassed 100 points and scored 106 league goals. That dominance culminated in an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles, setting a standard rivals struggled to match.

Recruitment and squad planning underpinned the era. Backed by significant investment, City added high-impact signings such as striker Erling Haaland to complement a core built over several windows. The blend helped deliver a historic treble in 2022-23, with City pairing their league win with domestic cup success and a long-sought European title.

Season finish and farewell match

Arsenal take title after Bournemouth draw

City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth ended their pursuit of another league crown and confirmed Arsenal as champions, leaving Guardiola’s side second with one game to play. City completed a domestic cup double this season, softening the blow of missing out on the league.

Final Etihad outing on Sunday

Guardiola’s final outing at the Etihad will come on Sunday against Aston Villa, drawing a line under a decade that redefined expectations at the club and across English football. The home fixture will close a season in which City again competed on multiple fronts deep into May.

Legacy and influence

Possession model reshaped the Premier League

Guardiola’s City sides popularized using possession as both an attacking platform and defensive tool, compelling opponents to adapt or be left behind. The tactical arms race elevated standards across the division, with managers rebuilding squads and game models to keep pace with City’s control of territory and chance creation.

Rivalries with Klopp and Arteta raised the bar

During his decade in Manchester, Guardiola’s rivalry with Jürgen Klopp intensified the title race in multiple seasons, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal emerged as a recent challenger after back-to-back runners-up finishes. Those duels helped define the era and underscored the level City sustained under Guardiola.

Off-field backdrop remains unresolved

City also face 115 charges of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, a case that remains pending. The proceedings formed a backdrop to recent seasons but do not alter the scope of Guardiola’s on-field achievements as listed by the club.

City did not name a successor on Friday. The club is expected to outline next steps after the season ends, while Guardiola’s decade-long tenure enters its final chapter on Sunday.