Pep Guardiola’s time at Manchester City will be remembered as one of the greatest managerial eras in modern football.
After 10 years of pressure, trophies, and constant expectation, Pep stepped away, having completely changed the club.
His final home match ended in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, but the day was never really about the result, it was about saying goodbye to the manager who had reshaped City’s history.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva were also leaving, which added to the feeling that the club was closing a major chapter.
After the Etihad tribute, City hosted a major celebration at Co-op Live, Manchester’s major indoor arena, to honour Pep’s decade in charge, along with Bernardo and Stones.
City looked back on Pep’s 20 trophies, with silverware brought out on stage by figures from across his era.
Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Ederson, Jack Grealish and Mike Summerbee were among the familiar City figures present, while Noel Gallagher also took part in the tribute.
The night looked back on the biggest parts of Pep’s City era, from record-breaking title wins to the Treble, but it also brought back some of the funnier moments supporters still remember.
A QnA was held amongst the players and Pep that showcased many memories that they made together as a team.
Among the memories replayed on the night was one clip that Bernardo Silva clearly had not forgotten.
It happened during City’s 2020 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley, where Pep was as animated as ever during a frustrating 2-0 loss.
In the game, Pep’s side had plenty of possession but struggled to break Arsenal down, and the manager was as animated and eccentric as ever on the touchline.
At the start of second half, it looked like Pep was speaking to nobody in particular, almost as if he was giving a tactical lecture to an empty seat.
No video is beating this one 😭😭😂 pic.twitter.com/MyXMEYJgbC https://t.co/vjfLxJ1sNb
— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) May 22, 2026
Bernardo used the moment to tease him, asking: “Who were you talking to here?”
Pep immediately burst out laughing. He covered his face, rubbed his head and looked embarrassed, but in a light-hearted way.
Bernardo saw this post and decided to ask Pep the question everyone has in mind 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Sa7VVFS2zq https://t.co/pAo3eahtGi
— LERRY (@_AsiwajuLerry) May 25, 2026
Having spent years under Pep since joining City in 2017, Bernardo had the kind of relationship where he could joke around with Pep without it feeling awkward.
In the end, Pep’s farewell was emotional because it marked the end of the most successful chapter in City’s history.
By the time the celebrations ended, it was clear Pep was leaving not just as a great manager, but as the figure who shaped an entire era.
