Guardiola moving – Pep Guardiola has started the process of moving out of his Manchester apartment shortly after his City departure was confirmed, with Sunday’s final match against Aston Villa at the Etihad expected to bring an end to his trophy-laden decade in charge.
Pep Guardiola’s final days in Manchester have started in the quietest way possible: removal men at his apartment in central England, belongings being carried out only days before his farewell at the Etihad.
Hours after Manchester City officially confirmed that Guardiola will step down as their manager on Sunday. workers were seen taking items away from the home where he has lived during his time in charge. The timing felt abrupt. but for Guardiola — who has spent the past 10 years building a team around work. repetition and belief — the last chapter is arriving with the same focus as the first.
Guardiola has been based at the Deansgate CitySuites in the heart of Manchester. The building is 16 storeys high and contains 237 one- and two-bedroom apartments. each with a fitted kitchen and a large living-room space. Guardiola’s apartment sits on privately owned floors, with the manager having purchased his place for £2.7m in 2017.
On the day City made the decision official, Guardiola’s message to fans was laced with memory and gratitude. In a video posted by the club on X. he looked back on his first arrival and the unexpected warmth he found in Manchester. recalling: “When I arrived. my first video was with Noel Gallagher. I walk out thinking, ‘oh, Noel is here, this will be fun.’”.
He added: “And what a time we have had together. Don’t ask me the reasons why I’m leaving. There is no reason. But deep inside I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal. If it was. it would be here.” Guardiola also spoke about the feeling of the people and what the club meant to him: “Eternal will be the feeling. the people. the memories. the love I have for my Manchester City.”.
Guardiola returned repeatedly to the identity of the city and the club’s role in his life beyond football. He described Manchester as “built from work. from graft. ” pointing to “the factories. the bankers. the unions. the music.” He also referenced the Manchester Arena Attack and what he sees as the city’s response: “Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community, togetherness, a City united.”.
The manager’s personal loss during the Covid-19 period was central to his remarks. Guardiola said the club “carried” him through the death of his mum, and he thanked his family, including his wife, Cristina Serra, and his children, while highlighting Khaldoon for his support.
City’s departure announcement follows persistent talk around Guardiola’s future. Reports this week indicated he is looking to return home to Barcelona and is set to purchase a luxury £13.5million property in the city. The Catalan’s time at Etihad ends on Sunday. and the club is expected to appoint ex-coach and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as the next manager.
For all the speculation, Guardiola leaves a measurable legacy at City. He has lifted 17 major trophies during his 10-year spell. His trophy collection includes the FA Cup victory over Chelsea that secured a major breakthrough. while he is also remembered for coming close to a seventh Premier League title before departing.
Guardiola’s record with City includes a domestic Treble in 2019. Four years later. he became only the second coach of an English team to complete the league. FA Cup and Champions League Treble. City’s 2018 cohort also holds a historic marker: the record for being the only team in English history to reach 100 points in a top-flight season.
Now the club is turning the farewell into an event. City organised a parade on Monday to celebrate the men’s and women’s teams. An after-party is also scheduled, with the event held at the Co-op Live arena next to the Etihad, marking the departing stars and their manager.
The tributes continue beyond matchday. On Friday, City announced that the Etihad’s North Stand expansion will be named after Pep Guardiola. The club also had a statue made in his honour. For Sunday’s game against Aston Villa. an additional 7. 000 seats will be open behind one goal. as City prepare for the final match of the decade-long reign.
Guardiola will step away at a stadium he has reshaped, but the process of leaving is already underway at Deansgate CitySuites — his belongings moving out even as the crowd noise from the Etihad builds for the last time.
Pep Guardiola Manchester City Deansgate CitySuites Aston Villa Etihad Enzo Maresca FA Cup Premier League Champions League Manchester
So they really just let him move out like that? Wild.
Noel Gallagher?? That’s the real scoop lol. I didn’t even know he was that connected in Manchester.
I mean the part where they took his stuff out the day they announced it feels kinda rushed, like maybe he got fired for real. “No reason” but timing says otherwise. Also Etihad is gonna be loud Sunday, gonna miss him though.
Wait so he bought an apartment for £2.7m and they’re already hauling stuff out? That seems like management stuff, like contracts and legal and whatever. And I saw something about Deansgate Suites being fancy but 16 storeys?? Sounds like a luxury hotel not a real home. Anyway can’t believe they’re ending a “decade” right before the Villa match… feels like drama for sure.