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·1 June 2026

Departing Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his final interview with music legend Noel Gallagher, reflecting on a decade that completely reshaped the club’s identity and success.

During the conversation, Guardiola expressed his gratitude and emotions about Manchester City’s decision to permanently rename the newly expanded 7,000-seat North Stand at the Etihad Stadium as ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’ in his honour.

Despite leaving behind a legacy of 20 trophies—including six Premier League titles and the club’s historic Treble—the 55-year-old downplayed how future generations of fans might remember him, showcasing his characteristic humility.

The former Manchester City boss jokingly remarked that future supporters might simply recall him as “a bald guy”, a comment that drew laughter and perfectly captured his modest personality.

The interview, recorded at the City Football Academy before his official departure, balanced the emotional weight of his farewell with Guardiola’s trademark dry humour.

With Enzo Maresca stepping in as the new head coach and Hugo Viana taking over as Sporting Director, Guardiola’s final sit-down marks the closing chapter of an extraordinary ten-year era filled with unprecedented silverware.

The timing of the interview coincides with the team preparing for a significant summer rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 season. After a demanding campaign that ended with a domestic cup double but saw Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy, Manchester City are expected to make key squad adjustments once the transfer window opens on June 15.

Amid speculation surrounding potential player departures, including rumours about Rodri’s future, Guardiola’s farewell appearance shifted focus back to his emotional bond with Manchester City supporters at the Etihad Stadium.

When asked about the stand being named after him, Guardiola responded, “What can I say? It’s the biggest recognition, more than anything else.”

He then added with a laugh, “In generations, people will ask, ‘Who is that guy? Who is that name?’ And they’ll say, ‘Ah, he was a guy, a bald guy, who won some trophies.’”

The humorous yet heartfelt reply perfectly encapsulated Guardiola’s humility throughout his ten-year spell at Manchester City.

While he playfully reduced his legacy to his bald head, the physical transformation of the Etihad Stadium tells the real story. The newly enlarged North Stand—with an additional 7,000 seats—will permanently bear his name, complemented by a statue at the entrance celebrating his remarkable contribution.

Manchester City have officially confirmed these tributes to Guardiola as a lasting symbol of his achievements with the club.

The City squad are expected to reconvene gradually for pre-season under Maresca next month. Due to the summer’s FIFA World Cup, players will return in phases before the team heads to East Asia for their pre-season tour, which includes a friendly match against Italian champions Inter in Hong Kong.