- Pep Guardiola is leaving Man City
- Bids farewell after 10-year tenure
- Manager to receive special honours
Pep Guardiola may be leaving Manchester City, but the club have set out to ensure his contributions are never forgotten.
There is a lot to reflect on after 10 years of Pep Guardiola’s reign at the Etihad Stadium, including 20 trophy lifts.
And there will be time to do so this summer, once the manager has cleaned out his locker and left his club of the last decade.
Guardiola has done so much for City, and it is only right that he receives recognition for what he has accomplished while he is still around to appreciate it.
Man City announce stand and statue plans
In order to honour Guardiola’s legacy, Man City have made the decision to build Guardiola a statue outside the Etihad Stadium.
Additionally, he will have the North stand at the Etihad Stadium named after him, following in the footsteps of the great Colin Bell.
Speaking about the new stand, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told Man City’s official website: “The Pep Guardiola Stand, and the statue that will sit outside it, rightly ensure that Pep’s legacy will remain forever woven into the fabric of this football club, the city of Manchester and English football.
“The unique relationship that he has with our fans has been earned through the honesty and passion of his ten seasons fighting to bring them success.
“The Pep Guardiola Stand is a fitting and permanent reminder of that relationship, the most successful period in our Club’s history, and the unique football genius at its heart.”
Reacting to the decision in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “Khaldoon called me this morning to say that the club took that decision. I have no words. I like the feeling that my vibe or my energy will be there forever. So I like that feeling.”
Pep Guardiola joins City greats with Etihad Stadium statue
Man City’s architects have been keeping busy over the course of the past few years, with multiple statues built.
Vincent Kompany and David Silva both had structures erected in their honour in 2021, and Sergio Aguero’s followed a year later.
Then in 2023, a triple structure was installed of Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee, so Guardiola is being commemorated alongside a host of legends.
Guardiola deserves recognition more than anyone
No one individual has done as much for Man City as Guardiola. He is the greatest manager this club has ever had, and his long list of trophies prove it.
The club have made an excellent decision to honour Guardiola now, rather than waiting for years to pass by.
And it should not be too long until the man from Catalonia is back, watching on from the terraces in his new ambassador role in the City Football Group.
