Guardiola and Salah say Premier League farewells

LONDON: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola walked out at the Etihad for the final time as manager after a decade of almost unbroken success, with newly crowned Europa League winners Aston Villa the visitors on Sunday.

The Catalan on Friday confirmed reports that he was leaving the club after 10 years in charge, with six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his huge collection of silverware.

A huge banner rippled over the heads of the fans bearing a giant image of Guardiola, with the messages “Game Changer” and “History Maker.”

There were smaller banners either side to mark the departures of long-serving defender John Stones and midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Antoine Semenyo gave the home side the lead but Ollie Watkins, named this week in England’s World Cup squad, scored twice to secure fourth spot in the table for Villa.

Elsewhere on a day of significant departures, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson revelled in a party atmosphere at Anfield as they said farewell to the club.

Just a week ago Salah, 33, undermined Liverpool boss Arne Slot when he called for a return to the “heavy metal football” played under former boss Jurgen Klopp.

But Slot included the “Egyptian King” — third on the list of Liverpool’s all-time goalscorers — in his starting lineup alongside Scotland defender Robertson. 

Banners in the crowd celebrated both players, one saying “Thank you legends.” Another said: “We Have Gone From Great To Glory. Salah Is Our King.”

A 1-1 draw meant that Liverpool finish fifth in the table — a stark comedown after last season’s Premier League title triumph.

Meanwhile, Tottenham secured Premier League survival on a dramatic final day of the season as West Ham’s 14-year stay in the top division came to