Manchester, United Kingdom – Manchester City announced that the redeveloped North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named the “Pep Guardiola Stand”. A statue of the Spanish coach was also commissioned to be placed at the entrance leading to the stand. This move comes in recognition of his contributions over ten years. During this period, he guided the team through the most successful period in the club’s history.
The club said the tribute came from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the club’s owner. It was made in appreciation of the historic role Guardiola has played since taking charge of Manchester City in July 2016. In addition, the club noted that the new stand will be fully open for the first time during the coach’s final match with the team against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed said in a statement published by the club: “Pep embodied this ambition over ten years,” adding that Guardiola left an indelible mark on Manchester City’s identity and that he has Sheikh Mansour’s gratitude, as well as that of the club’s family, of which he will always remain a part.
Championships with Man City
During Guardiola’s era, Manchester City won 20 trophies. This includes six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, three FA Cup titles, and five League Cup titles. The club also won one FIFA Club World Cup title, one UEFA Super Cup title, and three Community Shields.
The club confirmed that the redeveloped stand adds more than 7,000 seats to the Etihad Stadium. As a result, the capacity increases to more than 61,000 spectators. This expansion comes as part of a wider development project. The project includes a new fan zone, a hotel, a museum, retail outlets, and hospitality facilities.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said that naming the stand after Guardiola and erecting a statue in his honor will make his legacy a permanent part of the history of the club. Furthermore, it will also be a permanent part of the city of Manchester and of English football. He referred to the special relationship the coach built with the club’s supporters over a full decade.
The tribute comes at the end of Guardiola’s tenure with Manchester City. This is following a decade of success that made him the most decorated coach in the club’s history
