Pep Guardiola made his final journey into Manchester City's training ground on Sunday morning, arriving by mid-morning after supporters gathered outside the security gates of the City Football Academy hoping for a last photograph through his car window. His apartment had already been emptied, with only beds left inside and all his clothes and furniture loaded into removal vans.
By 10am the crowd outside had thinned, but the area around the Etihad Stadium stayed busy through the day and into the bank holiday Monday, with fans and staff lingering near the scenes of Guardiola's decade in charge rather than drift away.
The mood carried through the weekend and into Monday, when City took over Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter for a celebration built mainly around Guardiola. Crowds drank at the Northern Monk and Tariff and Dale bars before a parade that also marked the Women's Super League title won by City's women's team, their first since 2016, and an FA Youth Cup win.
Farewell parade in the Northern Quarter
City's squad gathered at the Star & Garter, a pub known for its monthly Smiths-themed disco nights, temporarily renamed the Silva & Stones for the occasion. As the crowd grew, Guardiola's eldest daughter, Maria, posted an emotional message online. "Football was never just a sport," she wrote. "The happiest and saddest tears came from football. We blinked and it's been 10 years."
Guardiola's retirement applies to club football, with the piece noting that any return under different circumstances, such as an approach from the England national team, would be a separate matter.
A decade of silverware
City's four buses moved along Great Ancoats Street and turned onto Pollard Street past the New Islington tram stop, with supporters running alongside. Bernardo Silva and John Stones, both departing the club, sat aboard after being seen in tears during Sunday's defeat by Aston Villa, their final game.
Vincent Kompany and Jack Grealish walked on stage with the trophies, all 20 won during Guardiola's decade in charge, joined by former sporting director Txiki Begiristain, goalkeeper Ederson, Guardiola's children, musician Noel Gallagher and former midfielder Fernandinho.
Guardiola, visibly moved and saying little on stage, especially when video messages arrived from Michael Jordan and golfer Tommy Fleetwood, sang Wonderwall as he arrived at the stadium for one last dance. Inside the Co-op Live Arena, 19,000 fans waited for an after-party that featured a giant blue moon balloon suspended from the ceiling, slowly deflating above the crowd.
Women's team also honored
The parade also recognized Manchester City Women, who won the league for the first time since 2016. Forward Bunny Shaw, the division's Golden Boot winner, used the stage to announce a four-year contract extension.
Players react to Guardiola's exit
Guardiola confirmed his departure after the March international break and has spoken since as though savoring his final months, though the exit still caught fans by surprise. The piece describes him as the only manager able to rival Sir Alex Ferguson for longevity in the modern game; Ferguson left Guardiola a voicemail congratulating him on it last week.
Until last week, many believed the 55-year-old might never leave, but he has told the club they need to move on. He believes City are best placed to reclaim the Premier League title without him, though whether that proves true remains to be seen.
"He deserves his rest," said winger Jeremy Doku. "Let's see next season, we want to win everything."
Erling Haaland said he expected a stronger league campaign next season. "The feeling is we could've done more but I think there is more to come," he said.
"We have to bottle this feeling up and use it next year," defender Marc Guehi added.
City are now working to finalize a deal for Enzo Maresca to succeed Guardiola, a move the club is pursuing with his blessing.