Manchester City

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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James Milner had his best years at Manchester City because he was operating at the peak of his efficiency in front of goal and significance within a side shaking up the established domestic hierarchy at the top of English football.

While subsequent years at Liverpool brought further silverware, it was his five-year tenure in east Manchester that defined his status as a true Premier League utility weapon, seamlessly transitioning between midfield, wide roles and even makeshift centre-forward.

Under Roberto Mancini, he provided the physical steel and defensive energy required to convert an ambitious project at City into a true winning machine.

Under Manuel Pellegrini's expansive, free-flowing attacking blueprint, Milner demonstrated an outlook on the game that was far more than just work-rate.

Milner was a key catalyst in elevating City to new, trophy-winning heights, playing a critical role in ending the club's 35-year silverware drought with the 2011 FA Cup; a breakthrough that set them on their way towards a dominant era, with Milner also securing two Premier League titles, a League Cup and a Community Shield.

For City, Milner recorded 19 goals and 38 assists across 203 appearances, averaging a goal contribution every 3.6 games. For Liverpool, Milner had a contribution every 4.6 games (26 goals and 46 assists in 332 matches) as his role shifted slightly deeper.

While at the Etihad, Milner successfully combined his renowned work-rate with a decisive goal threat.

It directly led to silverware and success - certainly representing the prime of his career.

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James Milner has called time on a remarkable a 24-year Premier League career, in which he has clocked up numerous impressive and record-breaking statistics.

He made 964 senior appearances for both club and country, with his 658 Premier League appearances the most of any player in competition history.

He is both the youngest and second-oldest Premier League goalscorer, and is 10th in the competition's assist charts, providing 90 across his 658 appearances.

Those 90 assists were for 47 different players in the Premier League, with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino benefitting from more Milner assists than anyone else (10).

Among the records Milner holds during the Premier League era, there is the the most substitute appearances by a player (218), while only eight players have more than his 13 goals as a substitute in the competition.

His 658 Premier League appearances came across six different clubs and in February he became only the fourth outfielder in the competition's history to start a match in his 40s.

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Former Manchester City midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.

The 40-year-old, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in a deal reportedly worth £26m in August 2010, played for six different teams in England's top flight.

After making his Premier League debut for Leeds United as a 16-year-old in 2002, he went on to break the record for the most Premier League appearances.

Milner, who could play on the wing, in midfield and at full-back, won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups, two Community Shields and the Club World Cup throughout his career.

He posted a farewell message on Instagram, external, which read: "After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.

"From making my debut for Leeds United, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I have been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.

"To have gone on to represent Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton - and not forgetting a memorable month at Swindon Town - has been an incredible privilege.

"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved - the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way.

"I have been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country England at two European Championships and two World Cups.

"But more than anything, it is the people and friendships I have made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever.

"To the fans, thank you. To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you'll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too - you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.

"To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.

"I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities it provided.

"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey."

Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 31, is keen to join Barcelona with his contract at Manchester City set to expire imminently. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

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We asked for your views on which players Manchester City should sign from the three relegated Premier League sides - Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United.

Here are some of your comments:

Adam: I wouldn't hate Andre or Joao Gomes from Wolves or Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. Especially if Nico Gonzalez does decide to leave.

Isaac: I think Zian Flemming would be a good deal as he proved he is good enough with Burnley and wouldn't cost too much.

Dan: Soungoutou Magassa would be a brilliant signing. He's full of potential and a midfield dominator. Top quality and probably less than £30m.

Graham: Poach Jarrod Bowen. Can play both flanks or down the middle. Premier League-ready and deserves a big club. There are some other decent players in their squads but none that would improve us.

Harry: Truthfully, we should sign no-one from any of these clubs. There's some fantastic players in there, e.g Gomes, Crysencio Summerville, Bowen, Fernandes and even Konstantinos Mavropanos, but all of these would be bench players, especially given the players we're rumoured to be targeting. Best to allow them to stay or move to mid-table Premier League sides to further their careers.

Timmy: Sign Bowen. He is an explosive player and he tried to keep West Ham in the Premier league. I think he would be a good fit.

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The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...

Quite obvious - Pep Guardiola stepping down as manager after 10 years in charge and the emotional send-off he received after his final game.

The season has been a success or failure because..

A success because City won two trophies, beating Arsenal and Chelsea in those finals. The Premier League, though, proved elusive.

The unsung hero of the season is....

Captain Bernardo Silva, boss Guardiola's most trusted lieutenant. His work ethic and selflessness drove others on and his impact will only be realised next season when he is not in the team any more.

If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future it is.... because...

Phil Foden. The midfielder missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad and spent large periods of Guardiola's final season on the bench. Having agreed a new contract, he will be aiming to rediscover his best form.

The major club issue or talking point lurking is...

When Enzo Maresca will be confirmed as the new manager. Talks are at an advanced stage and the Italian seems like the only candidate.

The reason for hope going forward is...

Guardiola leaving the squad and club in excellent shape. City came close in the title race and will be hoping to end a run of two years without finishing top of the table.

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has instructed his agent to explore options for a move away, with Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all monitoring his situation. (Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, Manchester City and Paris St-Germain are closely monitoring the situation with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande and have already held talks with the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, with Liverpool pushing for a quick agreement. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Finally, City are considering their options if winger Savinho, who is a target for Tottenham, ends up leaving.

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The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

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Dear John,

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

It pains me that injuries robbed you of becoming the best, most dominant centre-back we've ever seen. It saddens me that those 295 appearances couldn't have been so many more.

But I don't want a farewell to be so regretful, so I'll focus on the positives.

We were all so lucky to enjoy so many when you pulled on that number five shirt. Manchester City have made a mosaic of you, featuring arguably your most important moment at the club.

The goal-line clearance for City against Liverpool back in January 2019. If Sadio Mane's effort would've crossed the line that night, we wouldn't have been Champions that season.

John, 11mm has never mattered so much in one of the most closely-fought title races the Premier League has ever seen. It mattered so much to us all.

You may have only scored 19 goals during your decade with us, but that meant we celebrated every single one with elation and rapture. Your song, set to the tune of 'Daddy Cool', will go down in City folklore – don't worry, we'll continue to sing it. Just like the Istanbul song you feature in too.

That leads me on so perfectly to that evening in Turkey.

John, that will go down as one of the best performances by any player ever in a Champions League final.

Adapting your play that season to operate in the defensive/midfield hybrid role was a stroke of genius by Pep Guardiola, but it was you who put the effort in to master the art. You drove the team that night to winning the treble – a feat I fear we'll never see the likes of again.

You cemented your name in our club's history forever, John. Those memories will live with us forever.

Thank you.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

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Manchester City legend Paul Dickov, speaking to BBC Radio Manchester at Pep Guardiola's leaving party:

"The best manager by a country mile that probably Manchester City has ever had, if not in Premier League history.

"Two of the best players in Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who have spent 10 wonderful years at the club that are leaving.

"I remember when Pep first came, people were talking about him only being here two years, then he was going to go off into the sun.

"To have 10 years and 20 trophies is incredible. A lot of clubs don't win that in their whole history. To do that in the past 10 years shows you how incredible it is.

"Away from the football side of it, one thing for me is his ability to manage not only 25 world-class players, but 25 big, big egos.

"They can only pick 11 players every week, and you never, ever hear any discontent coming out of the club.

"Speaking to someone yesterday at the game, and they were saying the 1999 game at Wembley, he thought that was the only time he would get to Wembley in his lifetime. Fast-forward now, it's an unbelievable achievement what Pep and the club have done.

"You see him on the touchline, and he doesn't look like he has lost any of that enthusiasm and his ability to win games.

"He must be absolutely shattered.

"John and Bernardo, for me, the 10 years spent at the club, they're without doubt two of the best players in the club's history.

"There is going to be a blow, the end of an era. But the one thing the club has always done is the recruitment has been very good. I remember when we lost Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero and then David Silva. It was the end of the world.

"Somehow, we replaced them and got better and still won more trophies."

Listen to the full discission on BBC Sounds here or by pressing play below

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

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Dear Bernardo,

Goodbyes don't come much harder than this.

As a football fan, we can only dream of taking to that hallowed turf and playing for our club. Every time you wore our sky blue shirt, you played like we could only fantasise. Believe me, Bernardo, that's something we all do!

You gave blood, sweat and tears every minute you were out there. It's what we'd do - left battered and bruised, but so often victorious.

Home, away and across the best of stadiums in Europe, you scrapped and fought for every passage of play. Every lost ball. You refused to give up. We always said you ran in your sleep – I'd imagine exhaustion is a stranger to you, Bernardo.

But the effort and energy you put into the club was only the beginning. Those 76 goals. Bernardo, you're a magician. 'Bubblegum' was your nickname because the ball stuck to your feet like glue. How did you manage to work the ball so well? Your control was exemplary. It's no wonder Pep Guardiola adored you and put so much faith in you - 460 appearances in nine years is phenomenal. He saw the artistry - we saw the impact.

The impact was never more significant than on that evening at Etihad Stadium in May 2023 against Real Madrid. The so-called Kings of Europe could only look on dumbfounded as we swept them aside with the best performance by any English side in the competition. Your two goals in the first half of the game meant, at half-time, we were all in tears planning our adventures to Istanbul.

That moment will stay with me forever, Bernardo; those memories we will treasure forever.

You played in every position you could for us. You were the embodiment of a team player – always mopping up, always busting a gut, but always with such good humour too. We will miss your dog, John Stones, but we will always reference your nonchalant Liverpool guard of honour coffee cup with real glee.

How will we cope without you, Bernardo? I'm not sure if we will.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

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Statisticians Opta have conjured up their Premier League team of the season based on data collected throughout the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Three Manchester City players have been selected in the XI, following a title race that eventually finished in a second-place finish in Pep Guardiola's last season in charge.

Matheus Nunes, now an established right-back despite arriving as a midfielder, creative summer addition Rayan Cherki and the ever dangerous Erling Haaland have all made the cut.

Here's how Opta described the season for each of the chosen players.

Nunes : Nunes enjoyed a superb season at full-back, starting more games (32) and playing more minutes (2,865) than in his first two seasons at the club combined (26 starts, 2,327 minutes).

City were far better off with him in the starting XI - they won 66% (W21 D8 L3) of the games he started, compared to 33% without him (W2 D1 L3).

Nunes completed more passes in the opposition half than any other player this season (1,153) while among full-backs he had the joint most open play assists (5), made the most line-breaking passes overall (275), as well as completing the most passes in the final third (600). He was also the full-back with the most ball carries (514) and carry distance - well over 5,000m.

Cherki : Cherki joined Manchester City in the summer having created 11 goals for Lyon in Ligue 1 in the 2024-25 season and he went one better in the 2025-26 Premier League season, assisting 12 goals to become just the fifth player with that many in their first campaign along with Eric Cantona in 1992-93 (16), Andrew Cole in 1993-94 (13), Juan Mata in 2011-12 (13) and Dimitri Payet in 2015-16 (12).

Cherki only started 19 games this season and per 90 minutes he averaged the most successful final-third passes (24) and the highest expected assist number (0.44), and only Bruno Fernandes created more chances (four) than the talented Frenchman (three).

Among players to play 1,500+ minutes in a season, only Ryan Giggs in 2001-02, Kevin de Bruyne in 2019-20 (both one every 140 minutes) and Bruno Fernandes this season (every 146 minutes) have assisted a goal more frequently than Cherki in 2025-26 (every 149 minutes).

Haaland: The Premier League's Golden Boot winner for a third time in four seasons netted 27 goals in 2025-26, five more than he managed in 2024-25, while he enjoyed an impressive 21.4% conversion rate.

Haaland led all players for shots (126, his most in a season), shots on target (59), xG (26) and touches in the opposition box (213), as well as scoring the most goals via a ball carry (six) and netting 10 match-winning goals - three more than anyone else in 2025-26 and the most since Haaland himself in 2022-23 (10).

Perhaps more surprisingly, only three players ended the season with more assists than the Norwegian did (eight).

• Read about the rest of Opta's picks here - and cross-reference it with Troy Deeney's team of the season here

Manchester City are prioritising a move for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, as they look to kick-start the post-Pep Guardiola era. (Mail), external

But City have no interest in signing Chelsea's Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25. (Sky Sports), external

Winger Savinho is open to the idea of leaving Manchester City amid interest from Tottenham. (Football Insider), external

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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland says Pep Guardiola "made greatness feel normal" at Etihad Stadium during his 10-year stint as manager.

The club's hunt for a successor to all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero ended when Guardiola activated a 60m euro (£51.2m) release clause in Haaland's contract in May 2022.

Since officially joining Manchester City in July 2022, the Norway international has made 198 appearances in all competitions, scoring 162 goals and registering 30 assists.

In an X post dedicated to departing Guardiola, Haaland wrote: "A coach who never stopped teaching. It sounds crazy to say this, but you made greatness feel normal.

"Even after hat-tricks, wins and trophies, there was always another lesson, another challenge and another level to reach.

"That mentality changed this club forever and it changed me too.

"The honour of a lifetime to work with the best. Thank you for everything, boss."

Bernardo Silva, who joined Manchester City in 2017, will also leave the club this summer alongside Guardiola.

On Instagram the 31-year-old also said it was an "honour" to play under the Spaniard and that the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss "changed the game in England as he did in other countries before".

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

7.5/10. Securing a domestic cup double in a year of much alteration across the first-team squad is beyond a commendable achievement. Pushing a peak, long-term Arsenal project to the limit after a punishing 2024-25 campaign when Manchester City scraped Champions League qualification deserves immense credit, with a premature European exit perhaps standing as the sole blemish. All in all, an overriding emotion of excitement when looking towards the future after what this newly built squad has achieved at its earliest stage of development.

Best moment and why?

Lifting the FA Cup at Wembley was the ultimate poetic finale, beautifully rounding off Pep Guardiola's historic, decade-long tenure with a staggering 20th trophy.

Player of the season and why?

Nico O'Reilly emerged with a breathtaking tactical arc this season across an amazing 53 appearances, seamlessly morphing from a 'traditional' left-back into a powerhouse, box-crashing midfielder, injecting vital defensive steel and attacking potency. That is all before you start taking into account his goals in the Carabao Cup final and away against Real Madrid.

Unsung hero and why?

Nico Gonzalez. When a hamstring injury at Brentford sidelined Rodri for an extended period of time, Gonzalez stepped into the defensive midfield void with maturity and composure we had not seen from him since his January 2025 arrival. While completely replacing a Ballon d'Or winner is an almost impossible task, his controlled play and eye for a forward pass, as well as an iconic FA Cup semi-final winner, kept City's multi-front charge alive until the very end. It was hard not to feel for the Spaniard when he wasn't rewarded with a start in the final against Chelsea.

Biggest disappointment?

Failing to take the Premier League title race down to the final day cuts deep, particularly in the context of matchday 38 being Guardiola's last outing. Repeatedly throwing away advantages and leaking avoidable goals ultimately cost City in their battle with Arsenal, and reversing just one or two of those collapses may have altered the direction of the title.

What needs to change this summer?

Our central midfield because iconic technicians like the departing Bernardo Silva simply cannot be replaced by mediocrity. City cannot afford to cut financial corners here. Investing in the way that brought the likes of Marc Guehi to the backline or Erling Haaland to attack in 2023 is the only path to navigating the post-Guardiola landscape in a role that is so crucial to the way the football club as a whole wishes to play.

Major hope for next season?

To maintain a competitive standard beyond Guardiola's departure. As the legendary coach wisely noted in his farewell comments, happiness shouldn't be entirely conditional on a final trophy lift, and ensuring City remain a profoundly feared, elite force in domestic and European football is the absolute priority under the incoming regime.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City could be an even bigger story than Arsenal winning the title when you step back from the current celebrations in the capital.

There were poignant moments aplenty at the Etihad because most would agree that he has not only been fantastically successful, he has also changed the culture of football more than any other single person in the history of the Premier League.

Of course, the legacy has to include the fact that he had an incredible war chest and there will be running complaints about the 115 outstanding charges concerning alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Even so, you must admit that he not only brought many fantastic players and gave them the perfect stage on which to perform, he made most of these greats even better players after they arrived. He also pushed English football forward, not that it was still in the dark ages, but it had to keep up with the changing styles in the game. He made sure it did that.

I clearly recall one live away game on TV soon after he arrived. The on-screen pundits were ripping into his style for passing it out from the back and losing the ball.

Not only was I screaming at the TV that "you haven't a clue, you sound like dinosaurs, they need to learn how to do this, it's the future", I then wrote that week that they would all eat their words.

I admit I have enjoyed a decade of that humble pie being consumed almost as much as the football that has been served up.

Goodbye, Pep - it's been a blast.

The rest of my column has a new home – on the BBC Sport website.

‌Click through as I decide who is the manager of the season, whether we should ditch in-game guards of honour and the club getting the award nobody wants

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes now might be "the time for a younger and less-experienced manager" at Etihad Stadium, following Pep Guardiola's departure after 10 trophy-laden years at the club.

And Enzo Maresca, who guided City's elite development squad to Premier League 2 victory in 2020-21, could be the "familiar face" the club needs during a transitional period.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester's Total Sport show, Onuoha said: "There were people in the past who said Pep Guardiola wasn't the sensible appointment for Manchester City, so I'm not sure you can read these calls from this side of history.

"What I like, though, is the fact Enzo Maresca has been at the club before. He has an understanding of how things work, because Manchester City has a whole different style and set-up to other clubs.

"In my opinion, if there is a familiar face then that is great. He also has a point to prove after how things went at Chelsea in the end.

"The Premier League is different to when Guardiola first came in, and different to two or three seasons ago when Jurgen Klopp was around as well, so maybe this is the time for a younger and less experienced manager.

"It isn't about the 'super manager' anymore because Mikel Arteta was an assistant at Manchester City five or six years ago. He earned his stripes going through the tougher times at Arsenal.

"I think Maresca would arrive at Manchester City at a good time because maybe you don't need 97 points to win or contest for the Premier League anymore."

Listen to the full conversation by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Enzo Maresca, who has been linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, wants to give England midfielder Jack Grealish, 30, the chance to revive his City career after a season on loan at Everton. (Mirror), external

Manchester City are exploring a deal to re-sign Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles, with the 20-year-old, linked with Rangers, set to leave Sheffield Wednesday following their relegation to League One. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Rangers' chances of re-signing Mikey Moore on loan this summer have received a boost as Tottenham line up a new left-wing addition in Savinho from Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

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