Guardiola ends Manchester City tenure against Aston Villa

Manchester City will close the Premier League season with Pep Guardiola in charge for the final time on Sunday. The match against Aston Villa marks the conclusion of Guardiola’s decade-long tenure at the club. Guardiola departs Manchester City having secured 20 trophies since his arrival in 2016, the most successful period in the club’s history. His final match in charge comes at the Etihad Stadium against Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, in the 2025-26 Premier League finale. Bernardo Silva will also leave Manchester City at the end of the season after nine years at the club. The Portuguese midfielder has been a key figure in Guardiola’s teams since joining in 2017. Guardiola’s departure follows the conclusion of the league campaign, with Manchester City finishing as Premier League champions. The club secured the title with a record points total under his leadership. Bernardo Silva’s exit ends a period that included multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and Champions League triumphs. His contributions have been central to the team’s success across competitions. The final matchday will feature Guardiola’s ceremonial farewell before the club transitions to a new managerial era. Manchester City’s board has initiated the search for his successor following the announcement. For Bernardo Silva, Sunday represents his last appearance in a Manchester City shirt after 340 matches. The midfielder has scored 76 goals and provided 58 assists during his time at the club. Aston Villa, meanwhile, will host the fixture with nothing at stake beyond pride and preparation for next season. Unai Emery’s side finished mid-table in the Premier League. Guardiola’s legacy at Manchester City includes revolutionizing the club’s style of play and establishing it as a global football powerhouse. His influence extends beyond trophies to tactical innovation and player development. The club will honor Guardiola and Bernardo Silva in the coming weeks with official farewell events before the start of pre-season training.