- Man City prepare tribute for outgoing manager
- Pep Guardiola’s decade at club nears conclusion
- Catalan shares what matters more than records
Pep Guardiola will bring the curtain down on his extraordinary Manchester City career against Aston Villa, with one final landmark awaiting the Catalan before his emotional Etihad Stadium farewell.
Under the Catalan manager, Man City produced landmark moments, including the 100-point Premier League campaign.
Guardiola also helped the Sky Blues win the Treble and an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight title.
However, all good things end someday, and the same fate awaits the gaffer. He announced his departure on Friday, ending a decade-long career with the English club.
Pep Guardiola makes ‘unexpected’ Man City career admission
Regardless, Guardiola admitted that the strength of the relationships he built at the club went beyond anything he expected.
Rather than focusing on the records and trophies, the outgoing manager insisted that his memories of the people around him matter the most.
“It’s been so good. Everything unexpected. I couldn’t expect 10 years or to meet the incredible people I met. The numbers are the numbers, records, but today is not the day to think about that,” Guardiola told the press.
He added, “It’s about connections I had, the experiences and memories. I didn’t expect to be here 10 years, a lot of time at one club. We pushed each other, the energy always good, back and forth, not in one direction, and that’s why I stayed.”
Pep Guardiola overlooks final Man City record ahead of farewell
Despite Guardiola preferring to hold off the record talks, the Catalan manager will still make history against Aston Villa.
By taking charge against the Lions, Guardiola will oversee his 593rd Man City game, surpassing Les McDowall as the longest-serving manager in the club’s history.
McDowall managed 592 games for the Citizens between 1950 and 1963, a stint spanning 13 years. The Scotsman helped the club win their third FA Cup in 1956.
Guardiola leaves behind more than records at Man City
Man City’s decision to name the newly developed North Stand after Guardiola ensures his legacy is always remembered.
However, the manager’s comments show that his own memories of the club are unlikely to be defined by numbers.
Guardiola’s reference remains the community he built in Manchester and the time he had at the Etihad Stadium.
