When the story of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is eventually told in full, it will not only be about trophies, tactical innovation and domestic dominance. It will also be about trust — the trust he placed in young players and the patience he showed in helping them become world-class footballers.
Among all the talents Guardiola developed during his decade in Manchester, none symbolised his long-term vision more than Phil Foden.
Long before the midfielder became one of the club’s most influential figures, Guardiola had already decided that Foden represented the future of Manchester City.
That belief never faded. In fact, Guardiola once made it clear that Foden was the only player at the club who could never be sold, regardless of the offer placed on the table.
The City manager is preparing to leave the Etihad after Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, bringing an end to one of the most successful managerial eras English football has seen.
Former Chelsea coach and ex-City assistant Enzo Maresca is expected to replace him.
Before his departure, however, Guardiola’s words about Foden have resurfaced as a reminder of the extraordinary confidence he placed in the academy graduate from the very beginning.
In the book Pep’s City: The Making of a Superteam, Guardiola revealed the depth of his admiration for the England international.
“We didn’t give Foden a new contract by accident. He is the only player that can’t be sold under any circumstances, the only one. Not even for 500m euros,” Guardiola said.
“Phil’s going nowhere, Phil IS City. We won’t be signing anyone else for that position. When David Silva leaves, we know exactly who our new magician will be.”
Those comments arrived at a time when Foden was still establishing himself in City’s senior side.
Despite fierce competition for places, Guardiola consistently protected the youngster’s development and resisted suggestions that he should leave on loan for regular football elsewhere. For Guardiola, Foden’s talent was too special to risk losing.
From academy prospect to Guardiola’s chosen successor
Foden’s rise through City’s academy ranks had already attracted attention across English football, but Guardiola’s endorsement elevated expectations even further.
The manager viewed him as the natural heir to club legend David Silva, one of the finest midfielders ever to play for City.
Replacing Silva was never likely to be simple. The Spaniard’s creativity, intelligence and composure defined an era of success at the Etihad.
Yet Guardiola believed Foden possessed the technical ability and football intelligence required to inherit that responsibility.
Over time, that prediction proved increasingly accurate.
Foden developed into a versatile attacking player capable of operating in midfield, out wide or through the centre.
His movement between the lines, close control and eye for goal made him one of the most important players in Guardiola’s system.
The City manager repeatedly spoke about the youngster’s potential during the early years of his development.
“One thing is clear, Foden has a place in City’s first team,” Guardiola said.
“I’d be interested to see if a different manager would have given him his chance to develop or loaned him out. I don’t like leaving him out of certain games but must think of the whole squad. Phil understands that.”
Rather than rushing Foden into the spotlight, he gradually introduced him into a squad filled with experienced internationals.
The approach demanded patience from both player and manager, but it eventually allowed Foden to mature into one of the Premier League’s leading talents.
Guardiola often praised not only the player’s technical qualities but also his mentality. He valued Foden’s humility, willingness to learn and understanding of the demands required to succeed at elite level football.
The relationship between the pair became one of the defining stories of Guardiola’s reign. Foden benefited from working under one of football’s greatest tactical minds, while Guardiola found in Foden a player perfectly suited to his philosophy.
Foden faces uncertainty after Guardiola departure
The timing of Guardiola’s exit arrives during a difficult period for Foden personally. The midfielder recently suffered disappointment after failing to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup campaign.
That omission came as a surprise to many observers, particularly because Tuchel had previously shown considerable faith in the player.
Foden started both of England’s friendly matches in March and was deployed in two different attacking roles — once as a number 10 and once as a false nine.
Despite those opportunities, the 25-year-old struggled to produce his best form during an inconsistent season interrupted by injuries and fluctuating performances. Ultimately, he was left out of the final squad selection.
It has been a challenging end to the campaign for a player who has spent much of his career surrounded by praise and expectation.
Yet even amid uncertainty surrounding his international future and Guardiola’s departure from City, the admiration between player and manager remains obvious.
Speaking after last weekend’s FA Cup final, Foden reflected warmly on the impact Guardiola has had on his career.
“To play with him now for so many years has been a blessing. He’s certainly helped my game,” he said.
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“I’m really happy that he’s still here at the moment and let’s see what happens at the end of the season. Hopefully, he can be here next season.”
That hope has now disappeared following confirmation that Guardiola will leave the club after the season concludes.
His departure signals the end of an extraordinary chapter for Manchester City, a period that delivered sustained success and transformed the club into one of Europe’s dominant forces.
For Foden, it also marks the end of the managerial partnership that shaped his entire senior career.
The challenge for Maresca, should his appointment be confirmed, will be maintaining the standards Guardiola established while helping players like Foden continue to evolve.
Few individuals understand the importance of the midfielder better than Guardiola himself, whose words from years earlier still carry significant weight.
