Pep Guardiola says he does not expect lasting tributes for his final Manchester City home game, insisting he’ll treasure the moments instead as City face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s final week as Manchester City manager has been heavy with talk of what comes next. But on the eve of his last Premier League home match, the focus is firmly on what he wants his players—and himself—to carry forward.
Guardiola told the club and its fans he does not expect any lasting tributes on the final game of the season against Aston Villa. saying the important thing is what stays in people’s hearts long after the noise fades.. His message came as he also acknowledged he has not yet officially confirmed his departure from the club.
Manchester City are set to host Villa at the Etihad Stadium and, with the club planning to open their expanded North Stand, some supporters are hopeful that it could bear Guardiola’s name. Guardiola’s response was clear: the memories matter more.
“The club don’t have to do anything, honestly,” Guardiola said. “The important thing in our lives is that when you look back, you can look with a big smile and say ‘that was good’.”
He pointed to teammates he believes will keep the right kind of recollections. “Bernardo (Silva) and John (Stones) can feel that. We spoke about it over the last few days,” Guardiola added. “When you’re old, a grandfather, you can look at the memories. That is the most important thing in life.”
Pressed on the contract side of the situation, Guardiola’s tone turned sharp with a touch of sarcasm.. “Whatever happens at the end of the season – and when I extend my contract for three more years – I can look back and say. ‘how nice has that been?’” he said.. “That is the most important thing by far.. Most of the people who lived this time here together can feel it.”
There is still football to play before any farewell becomes real. Guardiola’s season is defined by a race that runs through other teams’ results as well. With Tuesday’s visit to Bournemouth looming, he believes City need victory to apply pressure on Arsenal going into the Premier League’s final day.
Guardiola compared the prospect of heading to the Vitality Stadium for Andoni Iraola’s final match in charge to “going for a dentist appointment,” wary of a Bournemouth team that, in his words, has not lost a game since the beginning of January. He expects that to show in intensity and demand.
“With 10 days to prepare for the game, I expect a more intense, aggressive and demanding team,” Guardiola said. “And then you have to be smart to read what you have to do.”
For him. this is not just another fixture—it’s a final. and finals force the best version of the human brain.. “It’s a final.. We are tired, yes.. But the human being has an incredible ability to. when you are completely. completely dead. if (your mind) is in the right spot. you do an extra run. an extra focus.. I’m pretty sure in the last two games, the players will give everything.”
City’s title pursuit has already carried them through pressure before. Guardiola reminded the room that City have won three league titles on the last day under him—2019, 2022 and 2024—and he urged his players to seize the moment without leaving anything behind.
“I prefer it to be in our control,” Guardiola said of the challenge of controlling outcomes. “But you never know. The important thing is to be there. I remember Johan Cruyff before (similar) games (at Barcelona) said ‘win our games, it’s not in our hands.’”
His message distilled the week into a simple, uncompromising equation.. “We cannot lose the Premier League because they don’t win and we don’t win,” Guardiola said.. “That just cannot happen.. We have to.. Let’s win the game to arrive at the last chance and after that, guys, win our game.. After that, it’s not in our control.. Wait.”
Pep Guardiola Manchester City Aston Villa Etihad Stadium Premier League Bournemouth Arsenal Andoni Iraola Bernardo Silva John Stones North Stand