"When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher [band Oasis]. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.'
“And what a time we have had together. 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.
“This is a city built from work. From graft [work, labor in Britain]. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. (1) The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack,(2) when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon (3) you were there too.
“Players don’t forget - every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again. [band's favorite team is City.]
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me.
“Thank you for pushing me.
“Thank you for loving me.
“Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. (4) I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“Noel…I was right.
“It has been so f****** fun.
“Love you all.”
(1) Emmeline Pankurst, Manchester native, organized first suffragette movement. One of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 20th Century.
(2) May 22, 2017, nine years to the day. Islamic terrorist bombing that killed 22, injured 1,017
(3) Khaldoon Al Mubarak, City Chairman; UAE Presidential Special Envoy to Peoples Republic of China 2018-present.
(4) British poet. Tribute to Manchester after Manchester Arena attack. Listen:
