Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Manchester in recognition of his exceptional contributions both on and off the football pitch.
Presented at a ceremony in the historic Whitworth Hall by Chancellor Nazir Afzal, the distinction celebrates Guardiola’s enduring legacy since arriving in Manchester in 2016. During his tenure, he has led City to six Premier League titles and their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph. In addition, his efforts through the Guardiola Sala Foundation have made a significant positive impact on the local community.
Reflecting on his time in the city, Guardiola remarked,
“I have spent nine years here and it has become home… The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time here has been beautiful.”
University President and Vice‑Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison highlighted Guardiola as “an innovator and a winner who has inspired millions,” noting his transformative influence in elevating Manchester’s global standing. He added that the award symbolizes a deeper bond between Guardiola, the university, and the city.
In his acceptance address, Guardiola also drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expressing heartfelt concern over the tragedy’s impact on innocent civilians—especially children. He implored listeners to respond with empathy and collective action, comparing it to the parable of a bird attempting to extinguish a forest fire drop by drop:
“It’s so painful what we see in Gaza. It hurts my whole body… It’s not about ideology… It is just about the love of life, about the care of your neighbour.”
No comments:
Post a Comment