Manchester City

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Basketball legend Michael Jordan led the cast of star names to pay tribute to Pep Guardiola at the Manchester City manager's farewell party.

Jordan, one of the NBA's all-time greats, and City's former captain Vincent Kompany were surprise participants in Guardiola's send-off at Co-op Live arena, which was attended by 19,000 supporters.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on an unbelievable career," said Chicago Bulls legend Jordan via a video message played on the big screen inside the venue.

Guardiola is known to be fond of basketball as well as being a keen golfer and Jordan added: "Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links and keep them straight. Congratulations."

British golfer Tommy Fleetwood also delivered a video message, saying: "You deserve whatever you are about to do next. It is an honour to call you a friend and congratulations. You have been amazing."

Veteran manager Neil Warnock added: "I can't quite believe you are leaving. I have seen off so many managers but you are top of the pile. The best manager I have ever seen."

Image source, Getty Images

Guardiola's three children, as well as former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain and goalkeeper Ederson - who left last summer - helped bring out all 20 trophies won under Guardiola.

Surprise appearances by current Bayern Munich boss Kompany and midfielder Jack Grealish, who spent a season-long loan spell at Everton, were loudly cheered.

Guardiola said goodbye for the final time in an interview with Oasis star Noel Gallagher.

"Thank you so much, I don't have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart," said the Spaniard.

Read more on Guardiola's emotional farewell

Tottenham are rekindling interest in a £60m move for Manchester City winger Savinho. (Mail - subscription required), external

Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, has emerged as City's top summer transfer target. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Manchester City's open-top bus parade has been celebrating the men's, women's and academy teams' achievements this season, and will also be saying goodbye to managerial great Pep Guardiola and long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Follow live text commentary of Monday's celebrations here

Image source, Getty Images

Can't make it to today's celebrations but still want a piece of the action? We've got you covered.

Follow every moment, from the bus parade to the celebration event at Co-op Live, with the BBC's live text commentary.

Stay across things as they happen here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views as Manchester City bid farewell to manager Pep Guardiola with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Martin: An emotional day at the Etihad with some serious and heartfelt goodbyes. City were the better team in the first half and should have been well out of sight even if it was their B team. Come the second half City fell apart with a woeful display defensively, gifting the game to a revitalised Villa. Foden had a sharply taken goal controversially disallowed. It was not to be City's day. Shout out to the Villa players for their guard of honour for Stones and Silva. A nice touch.

Harry: I couldn't tell you anything which happened in this game and I don't think I'll ever care. My mind was understandably elsewhere, so let me just say this. Thank you Pep, Stonesy and Bernie. And on a special note, thank you to Unai Emery, the Villa players and their supporters. It's a special thing to put football aside and recognise someone's contribution, so when I say that giving our legends that guard of honour (mid-game I might add) is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a while; I mean it.

Dave: What a season they have put together after a slow start. Then what a stunning decade of outstanding achievement. Pep will be sorely missed. He is quite simply the best manager.

Gene: This season was more than expected considering last season. The signing of Guehi and Semenyo was huge as they both integrated seamlessly and the rise of Cherki and Khusanov has proven to be wise additions. Doku has established himself as a dependable offensive weapon. Guardiola has left this team in an excellent position for the future with its ability to continue winning.

James: A hard season for City, too many draws have cost us the league - January being the worst month. The domestic cup double - excellent by any standard. Sad to see Pep leaving the club, a day that was always going to come. He's one of the all-time great managers and I am grateful for all he has done for the club, players and supporters. Next season will be wide open Manchester United back in the reckoning, while Arsenal, Villa, and Liverpool will all be contenders. Going back to Pep, wish him all that is best in life, and as he says, the club will go on; change is part of life and progression.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The merchandise stalls were doing a roaring trade before kick-off as flags and scarves emblazoned with Pep Guardiola's face were bought by those attending the end of this incredible era.

The arrival of the City team bus was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining up alongside the barriers in front of the Colin Bell Stand entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Guardiola entering the stadium for one last time as their manager.

His tenure has delivered the Premier League title six times, as well as the holy grail of a Champions League plus three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

City have never previously seen success like it. Very, very few have. Only the great Manchester United era under Sir Alex Ferguson and Bob Paisley's Liverpool in the 1970s and '80s have enjoyed such trophy laden years.

A huge banner was unfurled in the East Stand as the players emerged onto the pitch before kick-off that read '10 years with Pep - Game changer, history maker, City forever'.

Villa boss Unai Emery, who called Guardiola football's "only genius" in the build-up to the game, presented his fellow Spaniard with a memento before the match began.

Guardiola barely flinched when his penultimate signing Antoine Semenyo volleyed home the opening goal, instead remaining in his seat and seemingly taking it all in.

To the left, his name will be immortalised at Etihad Stadium forever, with the newly expanded north end renamed the 'Pep Guardiola Stand' in his honour.

Guardiola said on Friday he was incredibly proud his father's name will be adorned inside the stadium forever and 95-year-old Valenti was there for his son's final game in charge.

His voice cracked during his farewell speech on the pitch, as supporters serenaded him with chants of "We've got Guardiola" one last time.

He made one final lap of honour and exited down the tunnel.

Read more about Guardiola's farewell here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

It was an emotional afternoon at the Etihad as Manchester City supporters said goodbye to Bernardo Silva, John Stones and manager Pep Guardiola.

At full-time, a montage of the best moments from Guardiola's 10-years as manager played on the big screen and was set to an acoustic rendition of the iconic Oasis song 'Live Forever'.

The man who masterminded 20 pieces of silverware was then welcomed to the pitch with a guard of honour from players and staff.

Image source, Getty Images

He addressed the crowd and said: "I'm so nervous right now. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?

"I never imagined the amount of love, it has been an incredible, tremendous honour to be your manager for 10 years.

"Incredible emotions. My dad is here today in the stands, 95-years old - wow! Maybe he doesn't realise but I'm pretty sure in many years this stand that looks really beautiful, the name of my family will be there. That is the hugest honour.

"It is an immense honour my family will have for the rest of my life. The players don't know it, but I will be up there [in the Pep Guardiola Stand] controlling them! The players have a huge responsibility to continue these standards - hopefully they fight and fight and fight. This is my home.

"Over the next years, wherever in the world, if you see me in the streets or here at Etihad Stadium, if you are a City fan come to me.

"It has been a huge honour to represent this club. Every decision I took, I thought was the best for this club.

"I love you so much. It has been fun."

"Johnny, Johnny Stones" bellowed from the stands as Manchester City supporters said goodbye to one of the club's longest serving players on Sunday.

Stones, who was Pep Guardiola's second signing at City in 2016, was hugged by the City boss as he left the field to a guard of honour and standing ovation against Aston Villa.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Captain Bernardo Silva was tearful as the curtain came down on his illustrious Manchester City career with a guard of honour at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva, who joined from Monaco in 2017, has won 16 major honours with City, including the Treble in 2022-23.

He was joined by manager Pep Guardiola at full-time to commemorate his 460th and final appearance for the club before addressing the supporters for the final time.

"It's really tough to put into words my feeling towards Manchester City, towards you guys, because I don't think I will ever feel the same about another team in my life," Silva said.

"The love I got from this club, from you guys, I doubt I will get it again. So thank you so much.

"All the memories we have together, with my brothers, with you, the staff, this is a family. It will forever be my family and I am really grateful."

Hit play below to hear more from Silva speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, or listen here on BBC Sounds

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC MOTD: "I leave with an incredible sense of peace, I gave everything. Good things, bad things, it's part of the sport. I feel so much love, that is the truth.

"I am a guy who likes to move - in Barcelona with one of the best teams ever but I moved. Then Bayern, I moved. As a player I went to Mexico and Italy. To spend 10 years - I connected incredibly with the people in the club. That's the most important thing when you work. Khaldoon [City chairman], he is one of the kindest people I have met in my life.

"I said to my dad, 95 years old - it doesn't matter what happens, if you have to come in a wheelchair, but I want you to come and see how the people love your son. I am a father and one day I want my son and two daughters to feel what I feel from the people of Manchester. This is the best gift.

"Thank you so much to all the people. The name of my family, my mum and dad will be there [on the new North Stand]. I asked desperately to remain a part of this club."

Listen to more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Pep Guardiola took charge of his 593rd and final game with Manchester City, overtaking Les McDowall for the most games in charge of the Citizens in their history.

• Antoine Semenyo has scored five league goals at both the Vitality Stadium and the Etihad Stadium this season, only the second ever player to score 5+ times at two stadiums in a Premier League season, after Andy Cole in 1994-95 (St. James' Park & Old Trafford).

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City players and supporters have experienced success like never before during Pep Guardiola's tenure and there were few dry eyes around Etihad Stadium as the Spaniard called time on his reign.

Guardiola has claimed numerous records in his 10 years, such as the first 100-point haul by an English top-flight side and being the first team to win the title four times in a row.

Sunday afternoon provided one final opportunity to set another milestone as Guardiola went top of the list for most games in charge of City, surpassing Les McDowall's record between 1950 and 1963.

Although the team have won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, their title challenge ended with Tuesday's draw at Bournemouth and their 15-game unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Aston Villa.

Bernardo Silva and John Stones will also leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts following distinguished service and both players were given guards of honour when they were substituted in the second half.

Striker Erling Haaland was left out of the matchday squad, given a rest before heading to the World Cup with Norway, but ends the season with the Premier League's golden boot after scoring 27 goals.

Phil Foden was unable to provide a final flourish, his goal chalked off for a slender offside, but the full-time whistle was nevertheless greeted with the home supporters serenading their legendary boss.

Manchester City bid farewell to manager Pep Guardiola with a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you're feeling now the 2025-26 campaign has ended?

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Pep Guardiola has named his final Manchester City squad after confirming he will step down as manager following this game.

The Premier League is gone and there is nothing to play for so fringe players such as James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Nico Gonzalez and Savinho are given starts, while topscorer Erling Haaland is given the day off.

Captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones both start in their final games for the club.

Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stone, Dias, Ake, Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Savinho, Semenyo.

Aston Villa will still be coming back down to earth following their brilliant Europa League triumph on Wednesday and Unai Emery makes numerous changes too.

Only England international Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia and Victor Lindelof start from the midweek win over Freiburg.

Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Bogarde, Mings, Garcia, Maatsen, Lindelof, Luiz, Barkley, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds