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Manchester City have confirmed that the extended North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be renamed ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’.
The club will also commission a statue of the outgoing manager following his historic past in Manchester.
Guardiola honored with Etihad Stadium tribute
The announcement comes as a tribute to the Catalan’s decade of dominance in English football, transforming the club into a global powerhouse and securing a trophy haul that has redefined the Premier League era.
The stand will officially open for the first time during Guardiola’s final game against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The redevelopment project, which began in late 2023, has added more than 7,000 seats and increased the stadium’s capacity to over 61,000. City also confirmed plans to commission a statue of Guardiola outside the newly named stand.
The Catalan will join club legends Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Agüero to be permanently recognized around the Etihad campus.
Guardiola and the City hierarchy pay tribute
Speaking during his press conference, Guardiola admitted he was touched by the gesture from the club as he prepares to leave Manchester after a hugely successful decade in charge.
“Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] called me this morning to say the club made that decision,” Guardiola said. “I have no words. I like the feeling that my mood or my energy will be there forever. So I like that feeling.”
Club owner Sheikh Mansour also praised Guardiola’s influence on and off the pitch and insisted his legacy goes beyond the trophies won during his tenure.
“I said a long time ago that Manchester City should have the very best people at its disposal, both on and off the pitch. For ten years, Pep has been the personification of that ambition,” Mansour explained on the club’s official website.
“He has left an indelible mark on the club’s DNA. One borne more by how he won than by the many trophies he lifted. He has myself and the entire City family’s endless gratitude, a family he will always be a part of.”
Pep’s legacy secured at Man City
The decision underlines Guardiola’s influence on City and English football during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
The renamed stand and statue are designed to ensure his influence remains part of the club’s identity long after his departure.
Al Mubarak described the tribute as recognition of Guardiola’s lasting contribution to both the club and the city itself.
“The Pep Guardiola stand and the statue that will sit outside it rightly ensures that Pep’s legacy will forever remain woven into this football club, the city of Manchester and English football,” he said.
“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 footballing genius at its heart.”
Emotional farewell awaits Guardiola
Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa will mark Guardiola’s final game in charge and is expected to be an emotional affair at the Etihad Stadium.
The opening of the renamed stand will allow supporters to celebrate the manager’s achievements one last time.
City’s focus will also shift towards a new era following Guardiola’s departure, with the club aiming to build on the foundations created during his decade-long reign.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread over three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as will the USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay (9 p.m. ET).
