Premier League manager announcement as Newcastle United & Eddie Howe breathe sigh of relief
Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City have confirmed Pep Guardiola is leaving.
Pep Guardiola is stepping down as Manchester City manager after 10 years in charge.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss joined Man City in July 2016 and has gone on to win 20 trophies, including six Premier Leagues, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields and one Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Guardiola will take charge of the Citizens’ final Premier League match of the season at home to Aston Villa on Sunday before taking up the role as Global Ambassador with the City Football Group.
In plans to honour their most successful ever manager, Man City have named the North Stand the ‘Pep Guardiola Stand’ and also plan to build a statue.
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Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who is one of Guardiola’s former coaches at Man City, is expected become the club’s new manager.
Pep Guardiola is stepping down as Manchester City manager
In a goodbye statement, Guardiola said: “When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.
“And what a time we have had together. 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.
“This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon, you were there too.
“Players don’t forget - every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for loving me.
“Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“Noel…I was right. It has been so f-----g fun. Love you all.”
Newcastle United & Eddie Howe breathe a sigh of relief
While Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has regularly voiced his respect and admiration for Guardiola and his impact on the English game, few could mistake him for breathing a sigh of relief at his departure.
In his 23 meetings against Guardiola as AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle boss, Howe has only won two and drawn two, losing the other 19.
Howe last beat Guardiola in November when the Magpies won their home Premier League fixture 2-1, however the Spaniard responded by winning the next four meetings, including both Carabao Cup semi-final legs, the FA Cup and the reverse Premier League meeting.