Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

7.5/10. Securing a domestic cup double in a year of much alteration across the first-team squad is beyond a commendable achievement. Pushing a peak, long-term Arsenal project to the limit after a punishing 2024-25 campaign when Manchester City scraped Champions League qualification deserves immense credit, with a premature European exit perhaps standing as the sole blemish. All in all, an overriding emotion of excitement when looking towards the future after what this newly built squad has achieved at its earliest stage of development.

Best moment and why?

Lifting the FA Cup at Wembley was the ultimate poetic finale, beautifully rounding off Pep Guardiola's historic, decade-long tenure with a staggering 20th trophy.

Player of the season and why?

Nico O'Reilly emerged with a breathtaking tactical arc this season across an amazing 53 appearances, seamlessly morphing from a 'traditional' left-back into a powerhouse, box-crashing midfielder, injecting vital defensive steel and attacking potency. That is all before you start taking into account his goals in the Carabao Cup final and away against Real Madrid.

Unsung hero and why?

Nico Gonzalez. When a hamstring injury at Brentford sidelined Rodri for an extended period of time, Gonzalez stepped into the defensive midfield void with maturity and composure we had not seen from him since his January 2025 arrival. While completely replacing a Ballon d'Or winner is an almost impossible task, his controlled play and eye for a forward pass, as well as an iconic FA Cup semi-final winner, kept City's multi-front charge alive until the very end. It was hard not to feel for the Spaniard when he wasn't rewarded with a start in the final against Chelsea.

Biggest disappointment?

Failing to take the Premier League title race down to the final day cuts deep, particularly in the context of matchday 38 being Guardiola's last outing. Repeatedly throwing away advantages and leaking avoidable goals ultimately cost City in their battle with Arsenal, and reversing just one or two of those collapses may have altered the direction of the title.

What needs to change this summer?

Our central midfield because iconic technicians like the departing Bernardo Silva simply cannot be replaced by mediocrity. City cannot afford to cut financial corners here. Investing in the way that brought the likes of Marc Guehi to the backline or Erling Haaland to attack in 2023 is the only path to navigating the post-Guardiola landscape in a role that is so crucial to the way the football club as a whole wishes to play.

Major hope for next season?

To maintain a competitive standard beyond Guardiola's departure. As the legendary coach wisely noted in his farewell comments, happiness shouldn't be entirely conditional on a final trophy lift, and ensuring City remain a profoundly feared, elite force in domestic and European football is the absolute priority under the incoming regime.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City could be an even bigger story than Arsenal winning the title when you step back from the current celebrations in the capital.

There were poignant moments aplenty at the Etihad because most would agree that he has not only been fantastically successful, he has also changed the culture of football more than any other single person in the history of the Premier League.

Of course, the legacy has to include the fact that he had an incredible war chest and there will be running complaints about the 115 outstanding charges concerning alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Even so, you must admit that he not only brought many fantastic players and gave them the perfect stage on which to perform, he made most of these greats even better players after they arrived. He also pushed English football forward, not that it was still in the dark ages, but it had to keep up with the changing styles in the game. He made sure it did that.

I clearly recall one live away game on TV soon after he arrived. The on-screen pundits were ripping into his style for passing it out from the back and losing the ball.

Not only was I screaming at the TV that "you haven't a clue, you sound like dinosaurs, they need to learn how to do this, it's the future", I then wrote that week that they would all eat their words.

I admit I have enjoyed a decade of that humble pie being consumed almost as much as the football that has been served up.

Goodbye, Pep - it's been a blast.

The rest of my column has a new home – on the BBC Sport website.

‌Click through as I decide who is the manager of the season, whether we should ditch in-game guards of honour and the club getting the award nobody wants

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes now might be "the time for a younger and less-experienced manager" at Etihad Stadium, following Pep Guardiola's departure after 10 trophy-laden years at the club.

And Enzo Maresca, who guided City's elite development squad to Premier League 2 victory in 2020-21, could be the "familiar face" the club needs during a transitional period.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester's Total Sport show, Onuoha said: "There were people in the past who said Pep Guardiola wasn't the sensible appointment for Manchester City, so I'm not sure you can read these calls from this side of history.

"What I like, though, is the fact Enzo Maresca has been at the club before. He has an understanding of how things work, because Manchester City has a whole different style and set-up to other clubs.

"In my opinion, if there is a familiar face then that is great. He also has a point to prove after how things went at Chelsea in the end.

"The Premier League is different to when Guardiola first came in, and different to two or three seasons ago when Jurgen Klopp was around as well, so maybe this is the time for a younger and less experienced manager.

"It isn't about the 'super manager' anymore because Mikel Arteta was an assistant at Manchester City five or six years ago. He earned his stripes going through the tougher times at Arsenal.

"I think Maresca would arrive at Manchester City at a good time because maybe you don't need 97 points to win or contest for the Premier League anymore."

Listen to the full conversation by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Enzo Maresca, who has been linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, wants to give England midfielder Jack Grealish, 30, the chance to revive his City career after a season on loan at Everton. (Mirror), external

Manchester City are exploring a deal to re-sign Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles, with the 20-year-old, linked with Rangers, set to leave Sheffield Wednesday following their relegation to League One. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Rangers' chances of re-signing Mikey Moore on loan this summer have received a boost as Tottenham line up a new left-wing addition in Savinho from Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Manchester City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder leaning towards a move to Etihad Stadium instead of rivals Manchester United.

There is a growing expectation Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer.

United are unwilling to overpay, or get drawn into protracted negotiations.

No deal has been struck between Forest and City and the clubs are far apart on their valuation for the 23-year-old, meaning the situation could still change.

• Read the full news article

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Pep Guardiola's coaching staff will leave Manchester City as the eight-time Premier League champions enter an advanced stage to make ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca their new manager.

City have announced Pep Lijnders, Kolo Toure, Xabi Mancisidor, Lorenzo Buenaventura and Manel Estiarte will depart after working under Guardiola's guidance during his final season in charge.

Maresca, who has been out of work since he left Chelsea in January 2026, is heavily tipped to become the new City boss.

The former West Brom midfielder managed City's elite development squad in 2020-21 and guided the side to their first ever Premier League 2 victory.

Maresca is likely to be joined by ex-Man City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, having previously worked with him at Chelsea and Leicester.

Watch former Joe Hart speak about Pep Guardiola's comments over his "regret" at selling the goalkeeper when he first arrived as Manchester City manager.

After his arrival in 2016, Guardiola told the former England international that he was surplus to requirements after deeming he would not be a good fit for his style of play.

Last week, just days before his departure, Guardiola reflected: "There is one regret that I have deep inside for many years, that I didn't give a chance to Joe Hart to be with me to prove himself how good a keeper he was."

Hart told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "I was surprised how I felt because I was actually quite emotional to myself.

"It was very nice of him to say it and I think he is genuine in what he said because he didn't need to say it, it wasn't a specific question on it.

"That was 10 years ago, we shook hands, we had a difference of opinion and he ultimately won and went on to do brilliant thinks at Man City.

"The comments made me feel I was right to believe in myself and say I deserved a chance. That was the only thing I really took from it.

"I get on with Pep, always have, but it was still nice to hear from a personal point of view after getting lost on loan for a few years after that."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 3rd

Pep Guardiola's final season in charge of Manchester City ended with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but this time they were outlasted by Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

The best pure football team in the country maybe, but the history books will not say that - only that Arsenal were champions, and rightly so.

City simply had too many days - too many draws - where they could not complete the job, and it cost them.

Guardiola, however, leaves behind a rebuilt team with a glittering future. He will not be back at the heart of next season's title race. City will be.

What I said in August: "I fully expect City to win a trophy and challenge for the title - but do not think they will reclaim their old crown."

Check out the rest of my review here

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Basketball legend Michael Jordan led the cast of star names to pay tribute to Pep Guardiola at the Manchester City manager's farewell party.

Jordan, one of the NBA's all-time greats, and City's former captain Vincent Kompany were surprise participants in Guardiola's send-off at Co-op Live arena, which was attended by 19,000 supporters.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on an unbelievable career," said Chicago Bulls legend Jordan via a video message played on the big screen inside the venue.

Guardiola is known to be fond of basketball as well as being a keen golfer and Jordan added: "Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links and keep them straight. Congratulations."

British golfer Tommy Fleetwood also delivered a video message, saying: "You deserve whatever you are about to do next. It is an honour to call you a friend and congratulations. You have been amazing."

Veteran manager Neil Warnock added: "I can't quite believe you are leaving. I have seen off so many managers but you are top of the pile. The best manager I have ever seen."

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Guardiola's three children, as well as former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain and goalkeeper Ederson - who left last summer - helped bring out all 20 trophies won under Guardiola.

Surprise appearances by current Bayern Munich boss Kompany and midfielder Jack Grealish, who spent a season-long loan spell at Everton, were loudly cheered.

Guardiola said goodbye for the final time in an interview with Oasis star Noel Gallagher.

"Thank you so much, I don't have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart," said the Spaniard.

Read more on Guardiola's emotional farewell

Tottenham are rekindling interest in a £60m move for Manchester City winger Savinho. (Mail - subscription required), external

Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, has emerged as City's top summer transfer target. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Manchester City's open-top bus parade has been celebrating the men's, women's and academy teams' achievements this season, and will also be saying goodbye to managerial great Pep Guardiola and long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

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Follow live text commentary of Monday's celebrations here

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Can't make it to today's celebrations but still want a piece of the action? We've got you covered.

Follow every moment, from the bus parade to the celebration event at Co-op Live, with the BBC's live text commentary.

Stay across things as they happen here

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We asked for your views as Manchester City bid farewell to manager Pep Guardiola with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Martin: An emotional day at the Etihad with some serious and heartfelt goodbyes. City were the better team in the first half and should have been well out of sight even if it was their B team. Come the second half City fell apart with a woeful display defensively, gifting the game to a revitalised Villa. Foden had a sharply taken goal controversially disallowed. It was not to be City's day. Shout out to the Villa players for their guard of honour for Stones and Silva. A nice touch.

Harry: I couldn't tell you anything which happened in this game and I don't think I'll ever care. My mind was understandably elsewhere, so let me just say this. Thank you Pep, Stonesy and Bernie. And on a special note, thank you to Unai Emery, the Villa players and their supporters. It's a special thing to put football aside and recognise someone's contribution, so when I say that giving our legends that guard of honour (mid-game I might add) is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a while; I mean it.

Dave: What a season they have put together after a slow start. Then what a stunning decade of outstanding achievement. Pep will be sorely missed. He is quite simply the best manager.

Gene: This season was more than expected considering last season. The signing of Guehi and Semenyo was huge as they both integrated seamlessly and the rise of Cherki and Khusanov has proven to be wise additions. Doku has established himself as a dependable offensive weapon. Guardiola has left this team in an excellent position for the future with its ability to continue winning.

James: A hard season for City, too many draws have cost us the league - January being the worst month. The domestic cup double - excellent by any standard. Sad to see Pep leaving the club, a day that was always going to come. He's one of the all-time great managers and I am grateful for all he has done for the club, players and supporters. Next season will be wide open Manchester United back in the reckoning, while Arsenal, Villa, and Liverpool will all be contenders. Going back to Pep, wish him all that is best in life, and as he says, the club will go on; change is part of life and progression.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The merchandise stalls were doing a roaring trade before kick-off as flags and scarves emblazoned with Pep Guardiola's face were bought by those attending the end of this incredible era.

The arrival of the City team bus was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining up alongside the barriers in front of the Colin Bell Stand entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Guardiola entering the stadium for one last time as their manager.

His tenure has delivered the Premier League title six times, as well as the holy grail of a Champions League plus three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

City have never previously seen success like it. Very, very few have. Only the great Manchester United era under Sir Alex Ferguson and Bob Paisley's Liverpool in the 1970s and '80s have enjoyed such trophy laden years.

A huge banner was unfurled in the East Stand as the players emerged onto the pitch before kick-off that read '10 years with Pep - Game changer, history maker, City forever'.

Villa boss Unai Emery, who called Guardiola football's "only genius" in the build-up to the game, presented his fellow Spaniard with a memento before the match began.

Guardiola barely flinched when his penultimate signing Antoine Semenyo volleyed home the opening goal, instead remaining in his seat and seemingly taking it all in.

To the left, his name will be immortalised at Etihad Stadium forever, with the newly expanded north end renamed the 'Pep Guardiola Stand' in his honour.

Guardiola said on Friday he was incredibly proud his father's name will be adorned inside the stadium forever and 95-year-old Valenti was there for his son's final game in charge.

His voice cracked during his farewell speech on the pitch, as supporters serenaded him with chants of "We've got Guardiola" one last time.

He made one final lap of honour and exited down the tunnel.

Read more about Guardiola's farewell here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United