Man City to Name Stand After Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola Manchester City statue stand
Manchester City has officially announced that departing manager Pep Guardiola will be immortalized at the Etihad Stadium following his decade-long tenure at the club. In a statement released on Friday, May 22, 2026, the club confirmed that the newly developed and expanded North Stand will be renamed “The Pep Guardiola Stand.”
Additionally, the organization has commissioned a statue of the 55-year-old manager, which will be erected on the approach to the new stand.
The announcement coincides with the confirmation that Guardiola will step down as manager following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
His final match in charge is scheduled for this Sunday, May 24, against Aston Villa, an occasion that will also mark the first time the new Pep Guardiola Stand operates at its full expanded capacity of over 61,000 seats. Club owner Sheikh Mansour praised Guardiola’s contribution, stating that he has made an “indelible imprint on the DNA of the Club” and expressing “unending gratitude” for his leadership.
Guardiola’s departure follows an extraordinary ten-year period during which he secured 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever European treble in 2023. While his time as manager is coming to a close, the club noted that he will maintain his connection to the City Football Group by transitioning into a role as a Global Ambassador, where he will provide technical advice and work on special projects.
The decision to commission a statue makes Guardiola the first manager in the stadium’s history to receive such an honor, placing him alongside club legends like Colin Bell, Sergio Agüero, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak emphasized that these tributes are intended to ensure Guardiola’s “legacy will remain forever woven into the fabric” of the club, the city of Manchester, and English football, reflecting the unique footballing genius that defined his decade in charge.
