Sawt Falasteen - 'Be yourself' Guardiola tells Man City successor

A 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa did little to dampen the spirits of the City fans who turned out to pay homage to the Catalan, who hoovered up 20 trophies in 10 seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

One of Guardiola's former assistants and ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly set to take over and fill the enormous shoes left by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

"When the club will tell me which one it is, of course I will call him," said Guardiola.

"I will tell him the same like I said (before), 'be yourself'. The club will support you unconditionally. That is the biggest compliment, or the biggest luck that all the managers here will have.

"You have to protect it more than any other club. Be free and with your ideas go there. Work a lot and everything will be fine."

Guardiola announced his decision to depart on Friday, less than three days on from City missing out on the Premier League title to Arsenal.

But his final season at City still yielded a League Cup and FA Cup double and he leaves the club with a refreshed squad that should still be capable of competing for honours following his departure from the Etihad.

Guardiola made his entrance on Sunday to a rousing reception alongside a giant banner bearing his face and the message "Game changer. History maker. City forever."

Catalan flags were unfurled behind one goal, while at the other end the newly named and expanded Pep Guardiola Stand was in operation for the first time.

The 55-year-old was moved to tears when Bernardo Silva was given a guard of honour by both sets of players as he was replaced in the second half.

After 19 seasons of combined service, lengthy tributes were also paid to Silva and John Stones on their final appearances for the club.

"I don't cry, but when I see Bernardo cry, I cry," added Guardiola.

Together Guardiola, Silva and Stones won six Premier League titles and the club's only Champions League in 2023 among 17 major trophies.

Guardiola revealed earlier in the week he does not plan to coach again in the near future and said he was looking forward to a break after 17 seasons at three of Europe's biggest clubs in the past 18 years.

"I am so tired," he said. "I will not miss it for a while.

"For this club, for these players, this is the right decision and thank you to the club for respecting this."

L.AbuTayeh--SF-PST