Pep Guardiola Confirms New Man City Role After Stepping Down as Manager.

After 10 years, 20 trophies, and a complete transformation of English football, Pep Guardiola’s time on the Manchester City touchline is coming to an end. But the Spaniard isn’t saying goodbye to the Etihad just yet.

On Friday, May 22, 2026, Manchester City officially confirmed that Guardiola will step down as manager at the end of the 2025-26 season, following City’s final Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday. In the same statement, the club announced Guardiola will take up a new role as Global Ambassador for the City Football Group.

It’s a move that keeps Guardiola’s influence at the club and across the wider CFG network, even as he steps away from the daily grind of management.

The End of an Era.

Guardiola arrived in Manchester in July 2016 and immediately changed the club’s identity. Over the next decade he delivered 6 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, and the Champions League in 2023 as part of City’s historic treble. 

His final record stands at 20 major trophies, making him the most successful manager in City’s history. 

City are marking the occasion in style. The newly expanded North Stand at the Etihad will be renamed “The Pep Guardiola Stand,” and a statue of the 55-year-old will be placed near the entrance. 

In an emotional farewell statement, Guardiola said: “Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City”. 

He added that he plans to take a break from coaching and “will not for a while” after Sunday’s game.[coach] 

What the New Role Entails

Guardiola’s new title is *Global Ambassador* for City Football Group. The role will see him give technical advice to the clubs in the group and work on “specific projects and collaborations”.

City Football Group owns 10 clubs worldwide, including Girona, Palermo, Troyes, New York City FC, Melbourne City, and Yokohama Marinos. Guardiola is expected to work with managers and players across these clubs, sharing his tactical knowledge and football philosophy. 

Chief Executive Ferran Soriano said: “We will be able use his knowledge and experience in so many of our other clubs to help managers and players”. 

The role is similar to what Jürgen Klopp took up with Red Bull as Head of Global Soccer in 2025. It allows Guardiola to stay involved in the game without the pressure of managing 50+ games a season. 

What’s Next for City and Guardiola

Enzo Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant and ex-Chelsea manager, is widely reported as the man set to take over at the Etihad. City face Aston Villa on Sunday in Guardiola’s final game in charge. 

As for Guardiola, he’s hinted at a future in international management. He’s been linked with Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands, and England in recent reports. But for now, the focus is on rest and a different kind of role behind the scenes.

A Legacy That Reshaped Football

Guardiola’s departure closes one of the most influential managerial reigns in modern football. His possession-based style, tactical innovations, and relentless standards didn’t just win trophies—they changed how the Premier League is played. 

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “In the last ten years he has not only made Manchester City better - he has also made football better”.

While the touchline era is over, Guardiola’s relationship with Manchester City and the City Football Group is far from finished. In his new role, he’ll help shape the next generation of CFG clubs while remaining a permanent figure in City’s story.

City fans will get one last chance to say goodbye on Sunday at the Etihad. After that, Guardiola’s next chapter begins—not as a manager, but as the club’s global ambassador and football statesman.