Jordan and Sporting Greats Join Guardiola's Emotional Manchester City Farewell

Michael Jordan led the tributes as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City farewell party turned into a star-studded celebration of a remarkable decade. The event at Co-Op Live marked the end of Guardiola’s 10-year reign, during which he guided City to 20 trophies and transformed the club into one of European football’s dominant forces.

Jordan sent a video message praising Guardiola’s career and wishing him well in retirement, while also nodding to his love of golf by joking about keeping his shots straight. Tommy Fleetwood and veteran manager Neil Warnock also added their own tributes, underlining the broad admiration Guardiola has earned beyond football.

The emotional night followed Guardiola’s final match in charge, a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa that ended with the manager in tears. On Monday, thousands of City supporters lined the streets of Manchester to say goodbye before the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams were taken by bus to the Etihad and then on to the after-party venue.

All three teams were celebrated on stage, with women’s striker Khadija Shaw making a surprise announcement that she has signed a new four-year contract. Guardiola’s family, former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain and goalkeeper Ederson — who left last summer — all helped unveil the 20 trophies won under his leadership. Former captain Vincent Kompany and Jack Grealish also made surprise appearances to rapturous applause.

Guardiola thanked fans and club officials in an interview with Noel Gallagher, saying the turnout showed the strength of the connection between the club and its supporters. He said he would carry that gratitude with him for the rest of his life.

There were also tributes for Bernardo Silva and John Stones, both of whom are leaving when their contracts expire. Erling Haaland praised the pair and Guardiola on stage, calling them not just outstanding footballers but even better people, and said the club must keep pushing forward even without them.

The night felt like a final chapter in a glittering era — part party, part farewell, and part reminder of how far Guardiola took Manchester City.