Pep Lijnders Leads Jordan Tribute at Guardiola Farewell
Pep Lijnders marked Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City farewell party with Michael Jordan leading the tributes at Co-Op Live on Monday. The send-off came after Guardiola said last week he would step down, closing a 10-year spell that brought 20 trophies.
Jordan at Co-Op Live
Jordan’s video message played on the big screen inside the arena, with the basketball legend saying, "I just wanted to congratulate you on an unbelievable career" and later, "Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links and keep them straight. Congratulations." That message sat at the center of a night built around Guardiola’s departure and the people who had shared it.
Vincent Kompany was a surprise participant in the send-off, and Tommy Fleetwood also delivered a video message. Fleetwood told Guardiola, "You deserve whatever you are about to do next," before adding, "It is an honour to call you a friend and congratulations. You have been amazing."
Guardiola’s 20 trophies
The scale of the farewell matched the scale of the stay. Guardiola spent a decade in charge and collected 20 trophies, while 19,000 supporters were inside Co-Op Live for the event. Guardiola’s three children, Fernandinho, Txiki Begiristain and Ederson helped bring out all 20 trophies won under his management, and all three City teams celebrated their trophy victories on stage.
That came after a hard-edged finish on the field. Guardiola’s final game ended in a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday, and he broke down in tears. Thousands of City fans then lined the streets of Manchester earlier on Monday before the party at the arena.
Warnock and Shaw
Neil Warnock added the bluntest line of the night, saying, "I can't quite believe you are leaving. I have seen off so many managers but you are top of the pile." Khadija Shaw also announced that she has signed a new four-year contract to remain at Manchester City, giving the celebration a current-team note alongside the farewells.
Guardiola’s exit now leaves City with the record of his decade and the public send-off that matched it. The trophies were carried onstage, the applause was loud, and the message from Jordan set the tone for a manager leaving after 20 wins in silverware, not one last fight for more.
