Pep Guardiola signs off with offer of love for Manchester City fans: 'If you see me in the streets come and hug me'

Guardiola’s 10-year tenure at Manchester City concluded with a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa, after Ollie Watkins scored twice following Antoine Semenyo’s opener. Despite the loss, the club honored Guardiola and departing players Bernardo Silva and John Stones at the final whistle. Guardiola expressed strong emotion, thanking fans for their love and describing the experience as an incredible honor. City announced the newly expanded North Stand would be named in his honor, which he said was a huge tribute for his family, including his 95-year-old father in attendance. He urged fans to approach him for hugs if they see him in the future, calling it something he would need.

"Guardiola's remarkable decade of success that saw the club win 20 major trophies came to a slightly anti-climatic end with a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa but it did not have any major effect as City honoured the Catalan - and departing players Bernardo Silva and John Stones - at the final whistle. Ollie Watkins scored twice for Villa to hand the Europa League winners an impressive victory after Antoine Semenyo had put the home side ahead."

"After the final whistle, an emotional Guardiola paid tribute the City fans, saying: "I'm so nervous right now. Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me? "I never imagined the amount of love, it has been an incredible, tremendous honour to be your manager for 10 years. Incredible emotions.""

"City announced on Friday that they would be naming the newly expanded North Stand in Guardiola's honour and he reiterated how special that was for him and his family. He added: "My dad is here today in the stands, 95 years old - wow! Maybe he doesn't realise but I'm pretty sure in many years this stand that looks really beautiful, the name of my family will be there. That is the hugest honour.""

"In the next years, if you see me in the streets in the States or Europe or somewhere and you are a Man City fan, come to me and hug me. I will need it.""

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