There is plenty to report ahead of Pep Guardiola’s final match as the manager of Manchester City. Keep up to date with the news as it happens here on Read Man City.
Ilkay Gundogan sends message to Pep Guardiola
Posting on his X account, Gundogan has praised Guardiola not just for his managerial genius, but for who he is as a person.
While Guardiola was the 35 year old’s boss professionally speaking, Gundogan has revealed that he sees him as his friend.
Pep – what can I say? Where do I start? ✍️🩵
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) May 23, 2026
It’s difficult to truly describe the impact Pep has had – not only on Manchester City as a football club, but on everything around it as well. The trophies and achievements speak for themselves. But what made him special was always… pic.twitter.com/uhiZZOBMKA
“Pep – what can I say? Where do I start?
“It’s difficult to truly describe the impact Pep has had – not only on Manchester City as a football club, but on everything around it as well,” Gundogan wrote.
“The trophies and achievements speak for themselves. But what made him special was always much bigger than winning.
“For me personally, he was never just a manager. He was a mentor, a leader and also a friend.
“From the very first day we worked together, he challenged me to see football differently. Every detail mattered. Every meter on the pitch had a purpose.
“There were moments when his intensity pushed all of us to our limits mentally and physically – but looking back, that obsession with perfection is exactly what made his teams so extraordinary.
“What many people don’t see from the outside is the human side of Pep. Beyond football, he is incredibly humble, thoughtful and someone who genuinely cares about the people around him,” Gundogan continued.
“Over the years, I was lucky enough to experience that side of him very closely. He made me a better player, but also a better person.
“When I look back on my career one day, my time working with Pep will always be one of the defining chapters of my journey.
“Man City without Pep will never be the same again. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, my family, the football club, the community and Manchester as a whole.”
He added: “Looking forward to seeing you at the game [against Aston Villa] on Sunday!”
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with Man City
Florian Plettenberg has reported that Enzo Fernandez is a midfielder ‘strongly wanted’ by Enzo Maresca, the man likely to replace Guardiola.
The pair have a good relationship, with Fernadez playing under Maresca when the Italian was in charge of Chelsea.
🚨🧨 EXCL | Enzo Fernandez is one of Manchester City’s desired transfer targets for the summer. Strongly wanted by Enzo Maresca. #MCFC
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 22, 2026
Initial talks behind the scenes have already taken place. The two Enzos share a top and very trusting relationship. @SkySportDE 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/elBeptxhYY
And initial talks behind the scenes have already taken place, increasing the likelihood of a move taking place.
However, Real Madrid have also shown interest in Fernandez, so being at the front of the queue has to be a priority for City.
Joe Hart is Pep Guardiola’s biggest Man City regret
Since announcing his Man City exit, Guardiola has once again reflected on his decision to remove Hart from the club’s ranks.
Interestingly, the manager has now described it as his ‘one regret’ from a decade-long spell in Manchester.
Pep Guardiola reveals his one regret during his time as Manchester City boss 👀 pic.twitter.com/GwJqURG7oO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2026
He told Sky Sports: “I want to confess something, I may have just one. I have regrets. When you take a lot of decisions, you make mistakes.
“But there is one regret that I have hid deep inside for many years. I didn’t give Joe Hart a chance to be with me, to prove himself, how good a keeper he was. And I should have done.
“Because all respect for Claudio [Bravo], respect for Ederson who came in, he was important, but in that moment I thought ‘okay Joe, let’s try to do it together, if it doesn’t work then okay, we change it because it happened,” Guardiola continued.
“But it happened, I have to take decisions and sometimes I’m not fair enough.”
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