There will not be a dry eye at Etihad Stadium on Sunday following the dreaded news all Manchester City fans were fearing was confirmed.
Pep Guardiola will step down as manager following the game against Aston Villa, bringing to an end a decade-long period of success under the Spaniard.
A Day of Goodbyes at the Etihad
The day will give fans a chance to say goodbye to the 55-year-old, as well as witnessing the opening of the new Pep Guardiola Stand – the newly expanded North Stand being renamed in his honour.
Villa claimed the Europa League on Wednesday and so the day will have a celebratory feel about it – lets just hope the Manchester weather holds up for, what will be, a glorious occasion.
“Ten years is a lot of time and I think the club needs a new manager, new energy, these incredible players we have right now and start to write another chapter,” Guardiola said in his pre-match news conference.
Maresca Tipped to Take Over
All signs are pointing towards Enzo Maresca as the man being given the unenviable task of following in Guardiola’s footsteps.
Silva and Stones to Depart
As well as Guardiola, City will also bid farewell to captain Bernardo Silva and popular England defender John Stones with the day now becoming a real ‘I was there’ moment for all in attendance.