Manchester City have announced that a statue of Pep Guardiola will be erected on the approach to the newly named Pep Guardiola Stand at the Etihad Stadium, following the end of his decade in charge of the club.
The club confirmed on Friday that the stand will be fully open for the first time during Guardiola’s final match, which comes against Aston Villa on Sunday in the last game of the season.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour, majority stakeholder of the City Football Group, said the honour recognises the “incredible contribution” Pep has made over his ten historic years as manager.
“He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the Club,” Sheikh Mansour added. “One that is borne more from how he won than from the many trophies he lifted. He has the unending gratitude of myself and the entire City family – a family of which he will always be part.”
The new Pep Guardiola Stand features several developments, including the fan activation space known as Medlock Square, a 401-room hotel, a new club museum, retail outlets, office space, and a range of restaurants and bars.
Work on the expansion began in late 2023 and has added more than 7,000 seats, taking the Etihad Stadium’s capacity above 61,000.
City Football Group Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “The Pep Guardiola Stand, and the statue that will sit outside it, rightly ensure that Pep’s legacy will remain forever woven into the fabric of this football club, the city of Manchester and English football.
“The unique relationship that he has with our fans has been earned through the honesty and passion of his ten seasons fighting to bring them success. The Pep Guardiola Stand is a fitting and permanent reminder of that relationship, the most successful period in our Club’s history, and the unique football genius at its heart.”
Guardiola arrived at the Etihad on July 1, 2016, inheriting a side that had finished fourth in the Premier League the previous season under Manuel Pellegrini. He oversaw 591 matches for the club, recording 423 wins, 76 draws and 92 defeats.
During his time in charge, he secured 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five Carabao EFL Cups, three Community Shields, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup, making him the most successful Manager in City’s history.
He is expected to oversee his last match at the club against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, May 24.
His achievements include a record-breaking 100-point Premier League season and an overall win rate of around 71.6%. While these feats stand alongside — and in some eyes rival — Sir Alex Ferguson’s unparalleled 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United, the question of who ranks as the greatest coach in Premier League history continues to spark lively debate.
