Guardiola says fading energy drove decision to step down as Man City boss

MANCHESTER, England May 22 : Pep Guardiola said he knew the end was near when he felt the energy that had driven him for a decade slipping away, as the Manchester City manager delivered an emotional explanation for his departure ahead of Sunday's Premier League finale.

The club confirmed on Friday that Guardiola would step down after Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa, marking the end of a decade that transformed City into one of the dominant forces in the game.

"Absolutely," Guardiola said, when asked if he was running out of energy. "What I have to have, I will not have. 

"I feel I will not have the energy that is required, (games) every three days, the expectations to fight for titles, to be in front of the players. I know myself. I have that energy (now), but I feel I will not have it in the future."

The 55-year-old Spaniard delivered the news to his players on Friday morning and admitted to being overwhelmed by the moment.

"The speech was a disaster. I was so nervous, more than ever," he said. 

"The question is (the job) requires that passion and energy I've always had since I was a little boy, but now I feel I won't have it in the future," he told them. "I have to be honest with myself, but especially with the club that gave me everything."

EMOTIONAL FAREWELL FOR FANS

Sunday's game means little to either City or fourth-placed Villa, with both teams clinching Champions League qualification for next year, and City unable to beat Arsenal to the league title.

Instead, it will be an emotional farewell for fans after a decade that saw Guardiola and the team deliver sustained domestic dominance, including four consecutive league titles, and 20 trophies. 

Guardiola said his decision was driven not by a loss of