Guardiola's Manchester City Farewell: Michael Jordan Tribute, Bunny Shaw's U-Turn, and 20 Trophies in a Night of Tears and Celebration

Manchester City's trophy parade and after-party on Monday blended celebration with sentiment, as fans honoured a season of success and said goodbye to manager Pep Guardiola after a record-breaking decade. Thousands lined the streets in 31 degrees Celsius heat, climbing street lights and crowding every vantage point for a glimpse of the Spaniard who delivered 17 major trophies.

A Parade Through the City

A day after Guardiola's final game in charge, the League Cup and FA Cup trophies gleamed atop open-top buses, but it was the 55-year-old Guardiola who drew the loudest roars. The parade started in Manchester's Northern Quarter, carrying the men's team, women's team, U-18's team and staff, before culminating at the Co-op Live arena near the Etihad Stadium.

I love Pep, and obviously don't want to see him go. Devastated. I wanted him to stay for 10 more years to be fair, get every trophy.

For long-time season ticket holders Lisa and Steve Evans, Guardiola's departure resonated across generations. Their sons, Jack and Joe, were crying at Sunday's game.

He changed football in England. And his work ethic, he never stops.

Michael Jordan's Surprise Message

Inside a sellout crowd of 19,000 at the Co-op Live arena, a video message from six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan appeared on the big screen, surprising Guardiola.

Hey, Pep, this is Michael Jordan. I just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career. Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links, and keep them straight. Congratulations.

Guardiola was visibly stunned. "I didn't know he knew me... but it's fine," the Catalan said.

Returning Heroes and a Contract Shock

Former City captain Vincent Kompany, now Bayern Munich coach, and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher attended in person. Kompany carried the 2017/18 Premier League trophy onto the stage. Other former players present included Fernandinho and Jack Grealish, a member of the 2023 treble-winning team who spent the past year on loan at Everton.

In the segment dedicated to the women's team, record scorer Khadija "Bunny" Shaw announced on stage she had signed a new four-year contract, ending speculation linking her with Chelsea. Shaw has been with City for five years.

I'm still here, I'm still hungry and there's no place I'd rather be!

Players Reflect on an Era

Superstar forward Erling Haaland, who won the league's Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, spoke about departing stalwarts Bernardo Silva and John Stones, calling them "two legends in the club."

It has been an up-and-down season, but we are going to try to keep pushing and try to fight to win the biggest trophies we can. It has been a pleasure to play with Bernardo and John, and of course for Pep.

Jeremy Doku added: "I'm going to miss him a lot. His way of coaching, his way of giving advice, he's a legend, probably one of the best managers ever. He deserves his rest."

The Final Goodbye

All 20 trophies won during Guardiola's tenure were carried to the stage by players, coaches and figures connected with the club, including Gallagher. The night ended with a performance by Catalan band Mishima, flown in from Barcelona.

Thank you so much for coming here tonight to say bye. I've felt the connection that this club has from the first minute. Thank you so much. I don't have enough gratitude. I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.

The event also highlighted Guardiola's transformative impact beyond the pitch: a new north stand at the Etihad, named after him, is part of a 350 million euro expansion, an investment that would have been unlikely without the sporting success achieved under his leadership.