A sense of bereavement surrounds Etihad Stadium as Manchester City fans react to Pep Guardiola’s exit. Supporters describe the loss as difficult despite being expected, because Guardiola built the club over the past decade. Players associated with past success return, and fans attend matches to pay respects. The period is framed as a glorious era after years of modern misery, including past relegation and heavy defeats. Fans connect the club to personal and family identity, recalling decades of attendance and shared memories. Guardiola is credited with creating memorable European journeys, including Istanbul and the Champions League triumph, and with bringing enjoyment, pride, and lasting happiness.
"There is a feeling of loss around the Etihad Stadium, a bereavement that everyone knew was coming but it does not make it any easier to take. The ownership may disagree but this is the club that Pep Guardiola built over the past 10 years and everyone in attendance against Aston Villa on Sunday wanted to pay their respects. This has been a glorious epoch for the club, one that has seen complete and utter misery in modern times."
"The transformation was under way before Guardiola arrived a decade ago and everything has been geared towards his demands and needs. Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and Fernandinho were back as City's greatest hits were played. To say City is part of my DNA is not overstating it, Hope says. I feel I need to try and remember that it's football but it's also not just football, it's family, it's special and Pep has brought such a huge level of enjoyment, excitement, joy and pride to our club."
"I've been going to City for 36 years and our next manager will be the first my dad won't have known, he died in 2021. I have to remind myself of all the good times. The happiness Pep has brought to me, my life, to Manchester will never be replicated or forgotten. Guardiola created a magical mystical tour for City, taking the masses on triumphant tours to Real Madrid and a plethora of other of Europe's most historical venues, leaving having not just won but shown complete dominance."
"None will be more memorable than Istanbul, City's first Champions League trophy, won thanks to Rodri on an edgy night against Inter. Pep took us into a footballing galaxy that only a handful of teams in world football will ever experience, Andy Hooper says. I think back to watching hundreds of games at Maine Road with my grandad. Together we never even reached a major semi-fina"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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