End of a Was in it Manchester City. The most glorious in the history of the club that, for sure, has marked a before and after in the entity and all of football. Pep Guardiolaafter a decade occupying the bench of Etihad Stadiumhas announced his departure as the most successful coach of the ‘skyblue’ team with a total of 20 titles behind him. Practically, half of the 41 that attest to him as the second most successful coach of all time… only behind Sir Alex Ferguson (49).
His numbers at City.
“Ferguson is the greatest in this country for many reasons. I’m happy he could see what we’ve done and I’m pretty sure we’re not the ‘noisy neighbors’ anymore, just the ‘neighbors’. I’m glad he could see it,” he said. pep given the congratulatory message received by the Scottish coach.
It felt like this day was never going to come. May marriage between Guardiola and Manchester City It was one of those that last a lifetime. Ask the most loyal fans of the game. Barcelonawho barely enjoyed it for four seasons… while it has remained in England. But, after falling just short of winning his seventh premier that would have allowed him to break the tie with Bob Paisleyhas decided that it was the right time to put an end to this story.
An incontestable dominance that shook England
Their landing in The Islands, back in 2017, has been the biggest turning point in the Modern Era of the premier. During these 10 seasons, six titles League —they had only won four throughout their history— have had the name of the ‘cityzen’ team written on them. Only the first one gave way in favor of the Chelsea; two others fell on the side of the Liverpool of Klopp —lost two totaling more than 90 points— and slot; and the latter has ended up in the hands of his ‘ward’ Mikel Artetawho had to wait until the penultimate day to make champion again Arsenal 22 years later.
That is the level of demand that has been set Guardiola in the premierthe fiercest domestic competition in Europeat the command of this City. “Winning five or six games in a row here is impossible. That’s the challenge,” he exclaimed upon arrival. He managed to link 18 between August and December 2017. And, in addition to being the only one who has lifted four premier consecutive, the level of consistency has been great: they have never dropped below third place; have achieved four of the 10 best scores in the history of the League; and 65 total points more than the Liverpoolhis immediate pursuer, during all these years.
You won’t find anyone as consistent as us in the last 10 years
“Ten years is a long time. I think City needs a new coach, new energy, with these incredible players we have right now, and to start writing a new chapter,” said a former player in his farewell message. Pep Guardiola who can boast of being the fourth coach with the most victories (268) in the history of the premier. Now, none of those in the Top-10 come close to his impressive 71% win rate.
The zenith of his work… and the beginning of reconstruction
A decade goes a long way and, logically, the pep His ‘libretto’ matured… while he formed a well-rounded team that would shape the zenith of his work. And, from the moment of his appointment, he had full powers to do and undo as he pleased. From his first Citythere are hardly any left stones -he already announced his departure- and a Phil Foden who, at that time, was barely 17 years old. Along the way, it has signed 218 players for a value of more than 2,000 million euros. What is clear is that they have been well invested.
came to England implementing a tremendously attractive style of football that had never been played in the country. “People say that I can only play on good fields. That’s why I’m here, to test myself and show that I can train here,” he exclaimed in his presentation. Now, the truth is that he touched ‘heaven’ in 2023 with a much more pragmatic idea. His famous ‘three-box-three’ remains to be remembered, using stones as a ‘hinge’ man, which led him to lift the triplet of League, Cup and, finally, the first and long-awaited Champions.
“This is a dream come true. All these fans of the City They have waited for 20, 30 or 40 years. I only have a few in the club. We have made history. “We deserved it,” he pointed out after beating the Inter thanks to a solitary goal from Rodri. That was not the beginning of a dynasty, but the consummation of a project that, after reaching its peak in Istanbul, began to disintegrate. Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Grealish… All of them are no longer there and, soon, others like himself Stones, Bernardo Silva —most used player in his career— and, possibly Akethey will also say goodbye to the club.
Manchester City’s eleven guy (22-23)
He Manchester Cityas an entity, remained the same. But last season, the first of his career without titles, was a blow of reality. It was time to raise the foundations of a new project again without Txiki Begiristain. “A part of me is leaving,” he admitted. But, far from abandoning ship, Guardiola He continued to man the helm. “I don’t want to run away. Now I have to prove myself,” he acknowledged. Rúben Dias, Rodri, Bernardo and Haaland They have continued to support the spine. But Donnarumma, Nunes, Gvardiol/Guéhi, O’Reilly, Cherki, Semenyo or Doku They are now your new accessories.
“Do not ask me the reasons why I am leaving. But, deep down, I know that it is my time. Nothing is eternal. If it were, I would still be here. The feeling, the people, the memories and the love that I have for myself will be eternal.” Manchester City“, he said goodbye. “We work, we suffer, we fight. And we did things our way. Thank you for trusting me, for encouraging me, for loving me…”
Continuous line with Maresca
Guardiola has laid the foundations for a reconstruction that, a priori, will follow a continuous line… with the alleged appointment as the new coach of a Enzo Maresca whom he had as an assistant during that memorable treble season. He hands him the baton having won the cup double and competing the League until the end.
Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola
Times of doubts and insecurities are coming in a Etihad Stadium who will say goodbye next Sunday as he deserves. Fear, even, of the unknown. It is no wonder, since Guardiola has marked a before and after, not only in the Manchester Citybut in the Premier Leaguethroughout this entire decade. “I have no words. I like to feel my energy will be here forever,” he confessed. pep about the statue that will be in the vicinity of the stadium and the stands that will bear his name. This Was It has been yours and so it will be remembered forever in England.
