Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City: Inside the last day of his 10 years in the Premier League | Football news
A few things struck me about Pep Guardiola’s last two press conferences, more than his reluctance to talk about himself.
On Friday, journalists gathered in large numbers to ask him about his departure: Why now? When was the decision made? What will you do next? His opening gambit: “Aston Villa, guys, allez,” drew laughs.
Guardiola chose to say very little about the why, when and what, preferring to highlight “how happy and lucky he was” to manage Manchester City for ten years. It wasn’t the titles and records that he lived on – although they helped him – it was the connection with the city that he fell in love with “from day one”.
The debate over whether he is the best in the Premier League is, for him, “irrelevant”, despite dominating the internet conversation over the past few weeks – and arguably months after.
And, of course, it was all about the many trophies – 20 in total – that adorned his Man City career. When asked directly about his proudest moment he replied: “It’s a question for the people; I hope they enjoy watching us play.”
The joy of watching Manchester City play under Pep was not matched by the last game under him. The fact that Antoine Semenyo scored a goal in a scheduled game in a heavy defeat was a mystery. Almost the antithesis of Pep-ball.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Guardiola remained fixed in his seat when the opener came on, no doubt not amused by his comical creation. Pep’s teams have never been built on set-pieces, they haven’t started yet. “A good game for Aston Villa to get all the booze out of their bodies after the Europa League,” he joked afterwards.
It was clear from his test selection – nine changes from the draw at Bournemouth – that he was not chasing 270 Premier League victories. Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Nico O’Reilly were completely absent, none of them injured.
He wanted to share his knowledge with those who made his time special. It is his assistants who have worked for a long time and who best represent the transformation of the party under him.
And team captain Bernardo Silva. I’m with Johnny, Jonny Stones. By school royalty Phil Foden.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva shed tears after playing their last games for Man City
Football was as absurd as it could be between two of the league’s most intelligent, technically obsessed coaches. The result could have had little consequence, although you wouldn’t have known it from the way Guardiola hit Bernardo and Foden during the first-half drinks break.
Former players Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and Fernandinho were Pep’s guests of honour. They were there to honor him as they were honored themselves. And tears fell from the beginning to the end. Bernardo was emotional from the moment he led the team down the tunnel for the final time, walking up when both sets of players gave him a guard of honor to leave the field.
His reaction drew a similar response from Guardiola, who used his unusual white t-shirt to wipe away tears as he welcomed the player who has done the most to appear under him (460).
“I don’t cry,” Guardiola said afterwards, “but when I see Bernardo cry, I cry.” Most of the stands were filled.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Bernardo Silva received a walking guard from both Aston Villa and Manchester City players during his last game for the club.
Stones are conquered, and the praise from the record-breaking crowd is louder than ever. Only once, Guardiola was happy to welcome football fans. For only the second time all season, his side have been beaten at home, the same number of defeats to champions Arsenal.
Therefore, in his last press conference, longer and more expressive than his penalty. Maybe that’s just a product of match day, a messy place where emotions run wild. However, it was probably the culmination of something much bigger.
Pep made no effort to guard his emotions as he did on Friday. He spoke candidly that he was ready to go, that the furniture in his house in Manchester had long been gone, and that his romantic side had taken up most of the day with his 95-year-old father in the crowd.
“A load of memories,” as he put it, he packed away to unload at another time. He stayed on the beach, perhaps, with rest and recovery now high on his agenda for the second time in nearly 20 years of unrelenting administration.
Pep Guardiola waves to the fans during the post-match presentation
What will endure is the legacy of a coach who delivered more than half of City’s major trophies, with a win rate (70.8 per cent) that may never be seen again. And a points per game average that surpasses even the great Sir Alex Ferguson.
Even with fewer games than some of his contemporaries, Guardiola sits fourth on the list of managers with the most wins in Premier League history (269).
The naming of the Etihad North Extended Stand in his honor will serve as a lasting reminder of his profound impact and achievements. “The players don’t know, but I will be there controlling them,” he joked. There is no doubt that the psychology of that stand will always have meaning for those who played under him.
Fans won’t forget easily, either. Pep paraphernalia was everywhere on Sunday and it summed up the concept perfectly: ‘A good decade. Twenty cups. Thank you Pep.’
