IA decade of dominance ended for Manchester City yesterday as Pep Guardiola managed his final game for the club in their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. Waking up today, a new era is set to begin at City. One without Guardiola at the helm. It will take time for that statement to sink in. Speaking after his final game as Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola believes that a bright future lies ahead for the club that he turned into a juggernaut. It is hard to disagree with Pep Guardiola’s statement when you look at the City squad and the environment that is in place for Pep Guardiola’s successor to work in.
Pep Guardiola is confident that the future is bright for his club.
Following his final game as Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola fronted the media for his post match press conference. Guardiola shared why he believes that City are poised for success given that the club takes nothing for granted and that the City hierarchy will provide Pep Guardiola’s replacement with the support he needs. Guardiola explained why he believes that City hierarchy are set for more success in the future: “Because they are stubborn and know exactly what they want to do. They know perfectly that the opponents are so tough here and in Europe.”
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“Any trophy we win we don’t take for granted. We won a final against Arsenal and another against Chelsea. I would not say there are not good teams. We fought a team like Aston Villa who won the Europa League and are a top team.”
Also, Pep Guardiola had a message for the Manchester City fans. He said that the City fans had to enjoy the journey rather than solely focus on celebrating the ending. He added:”All I would like to say to the fans is every single step, enjoy everything that you do. Don’t wait to win the Champions League to be happy, enjoy the process. I know the players here they will do it. I know it.”
The City hierarchy will back their next manager in.
Lastly, Guardiola also said he will call his successor when Manchester City’s next manager is announced. He also had advice for his replacement. Guardiola said: “When the club tells me which one it is [his successor] I will call him. I will tell him the same like I said yesterday: be yourself. The club will support you unconditionally, which is the biggest compliment.”
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“All the managers that have been here have been lucky with Txiki and now Hugo, Ferran, with all the work he’s done, and especially Khaldoon. Be yourself, you will be protected in the bad moments, more than at any other club. Be free in your ideas, go there, work a lot.”
Manchester City have everything in place for Pep Guardiola’s successor to succeed.
Pep Guardiola has full faith that Manchester City will succeed without him as manager. Saying that, the idea that Guardiola won’t be City manager still will take time to sink in. However, looking ahead to next season and beyond, as Guardiola stated, City are well placed for the future and they are prepared for what comes next.
It is widely accepted that Enzo Maresca will be Pep Guardiola’s successor. The Italian manager will step into a club that will give him the time he needs to implement his philosophy and ideas. Acting hastily isn’t in the makeup of the City hierarchy. They will allow Maresca the time and space required to build his version of Manchester City. As Guardiola said, the City hierarchy are unique, and it is highly unlikely that they will begin to change the way they operate without Pep Guardiola. Other clubs act hastily and make rash decisions. Manchester City is not that club.
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There was also another quote from Pep Guardiola that stood out when he fronted the media for the final time. He asked City fans to embrace the journey ahead, not to worry about trophies, as they are the reward at the end of the journey. Manchester City fans will back Maresca from day one. They will be along for the journey as Guardiola explained yesterday.
Final thoughts.
Pep Guardiola believes that the future is bright for Manchester City. It is hard to imagine City without Guardiola as manager. That reality has now arrived. Whatever happens from here, City are set for the road ahead. They are one of the best clubs in world football. This working environment is what awaits Guardiola’s successor. If, as expected, it is Enzo Maresca, and if he can take advantage of the club’s support half as well as Guardiola did, Manchester City will remain near the top of the pecking order in England and beyond.
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