Manchester City have announced the departing Pep Guardiola will have a statue and a stand named after him at the Etihad Stadium.
The Catalan has revolutionised the club – and English football – and City are keen to leave a lasting tribute. The newly expanded North Stand will be renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand while there will also be a statue of the 55-year-old situated outside.
The Pep Guardiola Stand will be opened to its new capacity, featuring an additional 7,000 seats, for the first time in Guardiola’s final game in charge, against Aston Villa on Sunday.
“I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the field. For 10 years Pep has been the personification of that ambition,” His Highness Sheikh Mansour told the club’s official website.
“He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the club. 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.”
Guardiola’s legacy will remain forever woven into the fabric of Manchester City
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: “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 will remain with the City Football Group in an ambassadorial role, giving technical advice to the clubs within its structure, working on specific projects and collaborations.
