MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Pep Guardiola announced on Friday that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a trophy-laden decade that transformed English football.

Guardiola guided City to 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, and won the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

Aston Villa’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday will be his final match in charge, although he is set to continue working for the City Football Group as a global ambassador.

“What a time we have had together,” Guardiola said in an emotional video released by City.

“Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time.

“Nothing is eternal — if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”

The Catalan’s impending departure was first reported on Monday, two days after he won his third FA Cup at the club.

At that point, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was tight-lipped on his future, with City missing out on the Premier League title to Arsenal 24 hours later.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked on Guardiola’s staff at City, has been widely reported as the man set to take over at the Etihad.

“He has made an indelible imprint on the DNA of the club. One that is borne more from how he won than from the many trophies he lifted,” said club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, referring to Guardiola.

“He has the unending gratitude of myself and the entire City family, a family of which he will always be part.”

Sheikh Mansour is vice president of the United Arab Emirates, whose investment vehicle bought a controlling stake in City in 2008, transforming the finances of the club.

Guardiola arrived in England as one of Europe’s most decorated coaches.

His four-year spell at boyhood club Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, which included two Champions League triumphs and three La Liga titles, won admirers across the globe.

He added three more league titles in three seasons at Bayern but missed out on further European success.

Guardiola was not expected to stay in the Premier League for the long term but he put down roots and his influence has transformed the English game at all levels.

“The club has a decade of memories and success to be forever grateful for, and much more than that, an evolution that cannot be undone,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

A statue of Guardiola has been commissioned to stand outside the Etihad’s newly expanded north stand, which will be named in his honour.

Backed by the deep pockets of Abu Dhabi royalty, City have stepped out of the shadow of local rivals Manchester United to become the dominant force in the Premier League.

Guardiola’s brand of passing football has been copied from grassroots through to the elite level.

“The impact he had on every league where he trained, it’s just one of a kind,” said England manager Thomas Tuchel. “One of the very, very, very best.”

Even City’s competitors have turned to his disciples to catch up.

Arsenal’s 22-year wait to win the Premier League was ended by another of his former assistants, Mikel Arteta.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching Guardiola’s Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain experience of working under Guardiola.