Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City: Inside the final days of his extraordinary 10 years in the Premier League | football news

Few things struck me about Pep Guardiola’s final two press conferences, none more so than his reluctance to make it about himself.

On Friday, reporters appeared in their group to ask him a question about his departure: why now? When was the decision made? What will you do next? His opening gambit: “Aston Villa, guys, allege,” which drew a laugh.

Guardiola chose to say little about the why, when and what, preferring to highlight “how happy and lucky he is” to manage Manchester City for a decade. It wasn’t the headlines and records he was after – although they helped – it was the connection to a city he fell in love with “from day one”.

The debate over who is the Premier League’s greatest ever is “not important” to him, despite dominating online chatter weeks ago – and no doubt months later.

Or, indeed, the number of trophies – 20 in total – that decorated his Man City career. Asked directly about his proudest moment, he replied: “That’s a question for people; hopefully they enjoy watching us play.”

The joy of watching Manchester City play under Pep wasn’t necessarily tied to a final performance under him. Antoine Semenyo’s goal from a set-play in a crushing defeat was utterly ironic. Almost the opposite of pep-ball.

When the opener comes in, Guardiola slumps in his seat, perhaps uncomfortable with its dirty creation. Pep teams have never been built on set-piece skills, they won’t start now. “A good game for Aston Villa to get all the alcohol out of the body after the Europa League,” he joked afterwards.

It was clear from his trial selection – nine changes from the draw at Bournemouth – that he was not after a 270th Premier League win. Erling Haaland, Mark Guihy, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Nico O’Reilly were all missing, none of them injured.

What he wanted most was to share the experience with those who made his time there extra special. Along with his longest-serving collaborators and those who best represent the club’s remarkable evolution under him.

With club captain Bernardo Silva. With Johnny, the Johnny Stones. Academy royalty with Phil Foden.

The football was as insubstantial as it could be under one of the league’s most tactically savvy, technically obsessed coaches. The end result was of relatively little consequence, although you wouldn’t know it from the way Guardiola berated both Bernardo and Foden during the first-half drinks break.

Former players Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and Fernandinho were Pep’s guests of honour. You will be honored as much as you should honor him in presence. And tears flowed from start to finish. Bernardo was emotional from the moment he led the team out of the tunnel, with both sets of players offering him a guard of honor as he left the pitch.

His response drew a similar response from Guardiola, who used his casual white T-shirt to wipe away tears as he embraced the player who has made the most appearances under him (460).

“I don’t cry,” Guardiola later said, “but when I see Bernardo cry, I cry.” Plenty welled up in the stands.

The Stones were also overcome, the adoration of the record-breaking crowd louder than ever. For once, Guardiola was happy to embrace the hype over football. For just the second time all season, his side were beaten at home, the same number of defeats as champions Arsenal.

And so, in his last press conference, longer and more expressive than his last. Perhaps this is a by-product of a match day, a suffocating atmosphere where emotions are less contained. Perhaps, though, it was the culmination of something much bigger.

Pep didn’t try to shield his emotions like he did on Friday. She spoke candidly about getting ready to leave, the furniture in her house in Manchester long gone and how her emotional side occupied much of the day with her 95-year-old father in the crowd.

“Memories,” he put it, packed away to be poured out at another time. For the second time in almost 20 years of relentless management sat on a beach with rest and well-being.

Must endure the legacy of a coach who has won more than half of City’s major trophies, a win rate (70.8 per cent) never seen again. And a points-per-game ratio that dwarfs even the great Sir Alex Ferguson.

Even in far fewer games than his contemporaries, Guardiola remains fourth in the list of managers with the most wins in Premier League history (269).

The naming of the Etihad’s expanded North Stand in his honor will serve as a constant reminder of his profound influence and achievements. “The players don’t know it, but I’ll be there controlling them,” he joked. The psychology of that stand will undoubtedly carry meaning forever to those who have played under him.

Fans won’t forget easily either. Pep paraphernalia was everywhere on Sunday and summed up the sentiment perfectly: ‘Ten glorious years. Twenty trophies. Thanks Pep.’