Michael Jordan surprised Pep Guardiola with a farewell message as Manchester City were sent off
Pep Guardiola received a surprise farewell message from basketball legend Michael Jordan as Manchester City gave their outgoing manager an emotional farewell after his final game in charge.
The tribute came during a spectacular celebration in Manchester, where thousands of fans lined the streets for an open-top bus parade ahead of a sold-out farewell event at the Co-op Live arena near the Etihad Stadium.
Jordan appeared on the big screen with a personal message for Guardiola, congratulating the Spaniard on his extraordinary managerial journey.
“Hi Pepa, this is Michael Jordan. I just want to congratulate you on an incredible career. Enjoy your retirement,” said the six-time NBA champion.
He then added a playful nod to Guardiola’s love of golf: “Good luck with the clutches and keep them straight.”
An emotional farewell for a City legend
Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after a historic decade in which he transformed the club into a dominant force in English and European football, winning 17 major trophies.
The farewell event celebrated City’s domestic cup double alongside the women’s team’s Women’s Super League triumph and FA Youth Cup success.
In a symbolic moment, all 20 trophies won during Guardiola’s tenure were carried on stage by players, coaches and club figures.
Former captain Vincent Kompany, now Bayern Munich coach, attended the event along with Oasis star Noel Gallagher. Former City players Fernandinho and Jack Grealish were also present.
A visibly emotional Guardiola thanked the fans for their unwavering affection.
“Thank you very much for coming here tonight to say goodbye,” Guardiola said. “I felt the connection that this club has from the first minute.
“Thank you so much, I can’t thank you enough. I will carry this with me for the rest of my life.”
Haaland promises City will go forward
Erling Haaland took the opportunity to promise that City’s trophy hunt will continue despite this Guardiola’s departure as well as the departures of longtime stars Bernard Silva and John Stones.
“It’s been an up and down season, but we’ll keep pushing and fighting to win the biggest trophies we can,” Haaland said.
The evening also brought positive news for the women’s team, with forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw announcing a new four-year contract, ending speculation about her future.
Guardiola’s last game in charge ended in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, but the farewell celebrations ensured the focus remained firmly on his remarkable legacy.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
May 26, 2026 12:52 PM IST
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