Pep Guardiola has decided to step down as Manchester City’s manager. After having spent 8 years at the club and won every trophy possible, a departure after the next season seems imminent. Guardiola’s departure has been a topic of speculation many times in the past. He is not the one to hurry any important decisions. He is cold and decisive when it involves his players. However, he has mostly been unsure about his extended stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Initially his 3 year contract with city was considered to be his last. But he signed multiple extensions during the following years and is now expected to stay on till 2025.
Manchester City under Pep Guardiola: an invincible force
Manchester city went trophy-less during Guardiola’s first season in charge. The next season they clinched the championship with a record breaking 100 points with second place Manchester United 19 points behind them.
City followed up that year’s success with another league win in 2019/18. They fought Liverpool and won by close margins, racking up 98 points.
The 2021/22 season saw them edge past rivals Liverpool by 1 point to claim the title.
They hit the 90 points mark again in the 2022/23 season. Guardiola had built an incredible record of leading City to 90 points in four different seasons.
City have now won six premier league titles, four league cups and two FA cups under Pep Guardiola. The club also won their maiden Champions League trophy under him. Having built an invincible team and leading them to countless victories, there is very little left for Guardiola to achieve at the club.
City ended the last season with a loss to Manchester United in the FA cup final. The Citizens want the Spaniard to stay but it is expected that he will leave on his own. According to Manchester City news the club owners are already planning for his succession and expect him to make up his mind by the end of this year.
How does Pep leaving City affect them?
Pep Guardiola, now rightfully termed as the greatest manager of all times has changed Manchester City’s entire landscape. He is in some way tied to the club’s identity and culture. It will certainly be hard for the next managers to fill in his shoes. But City will forever carry Pep’s work ethic and insatiable hunger for victory.
Many players have their contract expiring in the next summer. Kevin De Bruyne who will turn 34 next summer will look for an potential exit if Pep decides to leave. Other key players like Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva who have two years left on their contract will want to leave incase of a potential revamp of the entire squad upon Guardiola’s departure. The big question of their next goals and ambitions will come in to play as well. Having won every trophy possible as a team, some players might feel like taking on a new challenge and going somewhere else.
Currently the team is travelling to US for their pre-season games. Pep was seen conversing with their new summer signing Savio. It will be exciting to see how the skillful Brazil international contributes to the team.
Further news on Guardiola’s exit will be available during the end of the year. His future is a topic of speculation as well.
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