ETIHAD — Sir Alex Ferguson achieved The Impossible Dream down the road three years before he arrived on our shores, when, at that point in Manchester City’s chequered history, Pep Guardiola’s remit would have been Any Dream Will Do.
Back then, nobody in their wildest dreams thought anyone could come close to matching Ferguson’s accomplishments at Manchester United. In less than half the time, Guardiola has somehow eclipsed it all.
There are those, of course, who will disagree. Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles to Guardiola’s six. Building multiple trophy-winning sides separates Ferguson from most of his peers. Even if the City boss averages more titles per season.
But what really earns Guardiola the throne in the pantheon of greats, just ahead of modern-day United’s founding forefather, is the legacy he leaves at all levels of the game. Since 2008-09, Guardiola has won 467 matches in Europe’s big-five leagues – over 100 more than any other manager.
It was an emotional day at the Etihad Stadium even before Guardiola’s first sighting. His lieutenant on the pitch, Bernardo Silva, was in tears in the tunnel pre-match, ahead of the captain’s last appearance.
"If in the next years you see me, come to me and hug me, I will need it"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 24, 2026
"I love you so much"
Pep Guardiola's farewell message for Manchester Citypic.twitter.com/vGoW9GLOto
John Stones – part of Guardiola’s first City line-up 10 years and 593 games ago – will also be following his manager out the door, with the tears flowing mid-match from him, too.
A record attendance of over 60,000, now the soon-to-be-named Pep Guardiola Stand is open, could barely keep it together.
What Guardiola and his imperious footballing hierarchy have built will stand the test of time. There will be no Fergie-type decline. Players will still want to join this well-oiled unit. Recruitment will remain as well considered as it has always been. That legacy also helps Guardiola stand above all the rest, Ferguson included.
Yet, there was still an overall acceptance that things will never be the same again. How could anyone change how an established footballing superpower views itself?
The pre-match tifo kept it simple: Game-changer. History maker. City forever. As Guardiola emerged, dressed as understated as ever in his plain white t-shirt, he waved to every corner of the ground and nodded to the Catalan flags in the crowd. Just another day at the office.
After Antoine Semenyo nudged City in front, Stones actually had a farewell to forget. At fault for Ollie Watkins’ equaliser, the departing veteran missed his tackle to let Watkins in to seal all three points just after the hour mark.
Not one but two in-game guards of honour followed, to further prove the importance of pageantry over match action. Silva was inconsolable, likewise Stones. Both leaving the patch into the loving arms of a tearful Guardiola.
Nothing could match the numbers lining up to applaud at full-time. Every member of staff donned “Guardiola 10” shirts, former greats such as Fernandinho made their way onto the pitch to pay homage, in line.
Out first, Guardiola stood in the centre circle as his departing coaching staff, instrumental to City’s success, got their moment. Ilkay Gundogan and Ederson were next, returning to the club to get their acclaim, before Silva and Stones followed.
Then, eventually, everyone got the moment they had all been waiting for.
Read more
- Daniel Storey: This is the end of Man City as we know it
- Daniel Storey: Arsenal are the perfect champions for this deeply weird season
As the montage played out, you could hear a pin drop. The man himself couldn’t bear to watch, the words of City’s most famous fans Oasis ringing true: “we’ll see things they’ll never see.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Guardiola’s final speech was interrupted by a raucous “10 more years, 10 more years Guardiola.” Something met with a fierce shake of the head. He has done more than enough.
Even the sign-off was perfect: “it’s been f****** fun.” It’s been more than that.
from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/mIGBhkO
Post a Comment