The 57-year-old leaves City with 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, and the best win rate of any manager, having won 70 per cent of his matches in the top flight.
In his final pre-match press conference, Guardiola said he is “really satisfied” after having the “experience of my life” at City.
“I don’t know the right words,” he said. “Happy and proud. The experience of my life, otherwise it would not be 10 years.
“I could not be more grateful for the love and affection, not just today, but for many, many years. Nothing else.”
Pep Guardiola explains why he’s leaving Man City now
When asked why he is choosing to step away now, Guardiola said he had known for a while that it was the time to do so.
“It’s the time,” he continued. “It’s not like going to sleep one day and the day after to say ‘now is the time’. It’s the process, I felt it for a while.
“The club respect me, the decision. The club has to be ready. This job, it’s Selhurst Park, Anfield, Madrid and Madrid, FA Cup – now I have to live my life and see what happens.
“The club needs a new manager, new energy, with these incredible players we have right now. And start to write a new chapter.
“It’s not about when. You know the time. It’s not one week ago. We’re in competition, I need the players to be with me and me be with them. And after there is the moment to say ‘okay, I want to say a proper goodbye to my people’.”
Guardiola added that the energy needed for the job “absolutely” played a factor in his decision.
“I feel I will not have the energy every day, with expectations to fight for the title. I know myself, I have that energy but I feel like I will not have [in the future].
“It’s been 10 years. It’s not ambition. After 10 years, ok Pep. It’s good to shake, to move, new faces. It’s the perfect moment, the perfect time.”
pic.twitter.com/WpkFecBYT4
