Pep Guardiola signed off his final day at Manchester City with an emotional farewell speech at the Etihad Stadium before ending proceedings with an X-rated line that prompted an on-air apology from Sky Sports.
Guardiola took charge of his 593rd and final match as Manchester City manager during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa, bringing an end to a decade-long spell that transformed both the club and English football.
The 55-year-old leaves Manchester after winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the UEFA Champions League across one of the most successful managerial eras in modern football history.
Guardiola became emotional while addressing supporters inside the Etihad Stadium
After the final whistle, Guardiola delivered a six-minute speech to supporters who remained inside the stadium, thanking fans, players, club officials and his family while repeatedly struggling to contain his emotions.
The Spaniard opened by asking for “a minute of silence” before admitting how overwhelmed he felt by the reception from supporters.
“I’m so nervous. Terrified right now. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?” Guardiola told the crowd.
“I never could imagine the amount of love. It has been an incredible, tremendous honour to be your manager and to be here during these 10 years.”
He also asked supporters not to remember only the trophies won during his reign, but the emotions created throughout Manchester City’s rise into a dominant force.
“Hopefully, through these unbelievable players, we provided emotions that made people come here and feel maybe we are going to have fun. That is the reason why we are here.”
Guardiola then referenced the newly-expanded Etihad stand named in his honour, while paying tribute to his family and especially his father, Valenti, who travelled from Spain for the occasion.
“My dad is here in the stands, 94 years old,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe he doesn’t realise it, but I’m pretty sure my wife and my kids realise that for many, many years our family name will be here. That is the huge honour I could receive from this club.”
Guardiola thanked Manchester City legends and praised Bernardo Silva and John Stones
The departing City manager also thanked owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak before turning attention toward several players who helped define his decade at the club.
Guardiola specifically praised Bernardo Silva and John Stones, while also referencing former Manchester City stars including Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson.
“They have to continue making the performances and maintaining the standards that legends like Fernandinho, Gundogan, Ederson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva created here,” Guardiola said.
“Congratulations to John and Bernie for their incredible careers and for the unbelievable number of games they played in our shirt.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Guardiola had been visibly emotional after Aston Villa players joined Manchester City’s squad in giving Silva a guard of honour following his substitution in the 58th minute during his final Etihad appearance.
Speaking later about the moment, Guardiola admitted Silva’s reaction caused him to break down emotionally.
“I don’t cry but when I see Bernardo cry, I cry,” Guardiola explained.
“He said he was so tired, he could not run. The emotions were so high.”
Guardiola’s final line prompted one of the loudest reactions inside the stadium
Toward the end of the speech, Guardiola urged supporters to approach him in public if they ever crossed paths again after his departure from Manchester.
“If in the next few years you see me in the streets anywhere around the world, if you are a Manchester City fan, come and hug me. I will need it,” he said.
Guardiola then finished by referencing a previous moment where he claimed he “wasn’t allowed” to say exactly what he wanted.
“And let me finish with what I wanted to say a few days ago, that they didn’t allow me to say…” Guardiola told supporters before adding: “It has been f******g fun.”
The comment immediately triggered one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon from Manchester City supporters inside the Etihad Stadium.
Sky Sports, which was broadcasting the farewell live during its final-day Premier League coverage, quickly issued an apology to viewers for Guardiola’s colourful language.
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