Tearful Manchester City fans serenaded Pep Guardiola with chants of «We’ve got Guardiola!» as the Etihad Stadium on Sunday turned into a tribute to the man who transformed both the club and English football during his glittering decade in charge.
City’s result in the season finale, a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, quickly faded into the background.
City versus villa – As it happened
Supporters lingered long after the match for a celebratory farewell, with players and staff lining up for a guard of honor dressed in shirts bearing Guardiola’s name. Despite a thrilling run at the end of the season that saw City trail Arsenal plus two trophies – the FA Cup and League Cup – Guardiola said he had realized he did not have the energy for another season.
The afternoon also saw an emotional farewell for City captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones. Silva was in tears before the match even started as he led his team onto the pitch with his young daughter Carlota in his arms.
Silva and Stones were given guards of honor by both teams in the second half of their final appearance for City. Guardiola hugged both and wiped away tears with his T-shirt.
There was little influence on the outcome of the final game of the Premier League season for either club, with City already assured of second place, seven points behind champions Arsenal. Villa, who finished fourth with 65 points, had already secured qualification for the Champions League and arrived on Wednesday buoyed by victory in the Europa League.
TROPHY LOADED PERIOD
Ollie Watkins struck twice as Villa played spoilers but the loss could not overshadow the tribute to much-loved City boss Guardiola, whose success raised standards in the Premier League.
His 593 games in charge transformed the club’s trajectory and delivered 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles – including a historic four in a row – and the Champions League.
In Sunday’s match, Antoine Semenyo put City on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute but Watkins, who was named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup on Friday, struck in both the 46th and 61st minutes.
Phil Foden celebrated what he thought was a late equalizer but it was ruled out for offside.
Villa fans did their part in the farewell, brazenly chanting: “You’re going to be sacked in the morning!” at Guardiola, prompting laughter from the Etihad crowd.
Published on May 24, 2026
