Basketball legend Michael Jordan led star-studded names to pay tribute to Pep Guardiola at the Manchester City manager’s farewell party.
Guardiola, 55, announced last week he will step down as City manager following a decade in charge, leading the club to 20 trophies during his tenure.
Jordan, one of the NBA’s all-time greats, and City’s former captain Vincent Kompany were surprise participants in Guardiola’s send-off at Co-Op Live arena, which was attended by 19,000 supporters.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on an unbelievable career,” said Chicago Bulls legend Jordan via a video message played on the big screen inside the venue.
Guardiola is known to be fond of basketball as well as being a keen golfer, and Jordan added, “Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links and keep them straight. Congratulations.”
British golfer Tommy Fleetwood also delivered a video message, saying, “You deserve whatever you are about to do next.
“It is an honor to call you a friend, and congratulations. You have been amazing.”
Veteran manager Neil Warnock added, “I can’t quite believe you are leaving. I have seen off so many managers, but you are top of the pile.
“The best manager I have ever seen.”
Guardiola’s last game in charge was Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, a match in which the Spaniard broke down in tears.
Earlier on Monday, thousands of City supporters gathered on the streets of Manchester to say their last goodbyes to the departing Guardiola.
This season’s victorious men’s, women’s, and academy squads were transported by buses to Etihad Stadium, where a crowd awaited their arrival, before the group headed to Co-Op Live for the ‘after party.’
All three squads celebrated their trophy wins on stage, with City women’s forward Khadija Shaw surprising everyone by announcing that she has signed a new four-year deal to stay at the club.
Guardiola’s three children, alongside former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain, and goalkeeper Ederson—who departed last summer—contributed to showcasing all 20 trophies achieved under Guardiola.
Unexpected visits from current Bayern Munich coach Kompany and midfielder Jack Grealish, who had a season-long loan at Everton, received enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Guardiola bid farewell for the last time during a conversation with Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher.
“First of all, thank you so much for coming tonight to say bye,” said Guardiola.
“I feel tonight that really shows the connection this club has. [City chairman] Khaldoon Al Mubarak and all the people and all the City fans that were connected from the first minute.
“Thank you so much; I don’t have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart.”
Tributes were also given to captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones, who will leave the club this summer when their contracts expire.
On stage, striker Erling Haaland remarked, “It’s been a pleasure to play with Bernardo, John, and, of course, Pep.”
“We won a lot of trophies, and I was happy to play with Bernardo and John because they are amazing footballers but even better people deep down.
“It has been an amazing journey, but we need to keep pushing and fighting even without them.”
