Pep Guardiola was emotional as he bid farewell to Manchester City, as a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday ended a glittering decade under the Catalan.
The 55-year-old announced Friday that he was set to depart after winning 20 trophies in 10 seasons that made City the dominant force of English football.
Guardiola made his entrance to a rousing reception alongside a giant banner bearing his face and the message “Game changer. History maker. City forever.”
Catalan flags were unfurled behind one goal, while at the other end, the newly named and expanded Pep Guardiola Stand was in operation for the first time.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss won six Premier League titles and City’s only Champions League among his haul of 17 major pieces of silverware.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones were part of the squads that won all of those trophies and were also given a fitting send-off in their final game for the club after a combined 19 seasons of service.
Silva was in tears even before kick-off as he led City out as captain for the day.
But there was little on the line for both sides on the field.
He fell short in their quest to chase down Arsenal at the top of the table as a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday saw the Gunners crowned champions.
Villa were still in celebratory mood after winning their first trophy for 30 years on Wednesday by claiming the Europa League.
But victory for Unai Emery’s men ensured they finished in fourth ahead of Liverpool.
Guardiola made nine changes from the side that started at Bournemouth, with Erling Haaland among those not even making the bench.
