After a decade of unparalleled success, Pep Guardiola is about to bid farewell to Manchester City.

Since arriving in 2016, the Catalan coach has transformed the club into a footballing superpower, amassing 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. While records have continually fallen under his possession-based style, it is his transformation of some of the best footballers in the world that leaves a lasting legacy.

Shaping Careers

From reinventing positions and formations to spotting potential in the academy and cultivating a Ballon d'Or winner, Guardiola has made careers. Many who starred during his tenure have departed not only as club legends but global stars.

Key Players

Here, BBC Sport compiles a list of 11 players who defined Guardiola's decade in charge.

  • Appearances under Guardiola: 292
  • Goals: 120
  • Assists: 77
  • Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (4), FA Cup (1), EFL Cup (5)
  • Individual honours: PFA Young Player of the Year (2018-19), FWA Footballer of the Year (2018-19), MBE 2021

Raheem Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool in the summer of 2015 in a £49m deal — a record fee for an English player at the time. He arrived as a gifted winger but questions remained over his end product and goalscoring ability. Under Guardiola, he matured, repaying his manager's faith with 131 goals during his seven-year stint at the Etihad, scoring 20-plus goals in three consecutive campaigns.

  • Appearances: 358
  • Goals: 65
  • Assists: 48
  • Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (5), Champions League (1), FA Cup (2), EFL Cup (4), UEFA Super Cup (1), Club World Cup (1)
  • Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x1

Ilkay Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing as Manchester City manager, joining from German club Borussia Dortmund in 2016. The midfielder quickly became a pivotal player during his seven seasons in Manchester, bringing composure, balance, and precision to the heart of midfield. The ultimate unsung hero. The German led from the front as captain in 2023 as Guardiola's side won the Treble, signing off with a stunning volley against rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final before lifting the Champions League trophy.

  • Appearances: 319
  • Goals: 6
  • Assists: 23
  • Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (6), Champions League (1), FA Cup (2), EFL Cup (4), UEFA Super Cup (1), Club World Cup (1)
  • Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x4

The £45m fee Manchester City paid to acquire full-back Kyle Walker from Tottenham in 2017 raised many an eyebrow, though the England international would go on to be a stalwart of the Guardiola era. His trademark speedy runs from right-back added an extra dimension in attack while his lightning-quick recovery pace proved key in quelling danger at the back. Another leader in the dressing room for all six Premier League title wins under Guardiola, Walker wore the armband as the side clinched a record-breaking fourth consecutive crown in 2024.

  • Appearances under Guardiola: 175
  • Goals: 34
  • Assists: 51
  • Trophies under Guardiola: Premier League (2), FA Cup (1), EFL Cup (3)
  • Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year x2, Statue at Etihad Stadium

Fresh off the ba...